Virginia state senator from Bangladesh sponsored anti-2A gun bill signed by Abigail Spanberger

This week, Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a law that will restrict the Second Amendment rights of Virginians. The legislation was sponsored by state Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, a naturalized US citizen originally from Bangladesh.

The new law bars the purchase, sale, and manufacturing of any gun that can have a fixed magazine capacity of 15 rounds, according to the bill text. Those who sell or purchase such a firearm can get hit with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The law also bans the use of magazines with 15 or more rounds. Some on X pointed to that Salim was born outside the US and has now moved to restrict Second Amendment rights for citizens in Virginia.

“This guy was born in Bangladesh, was given a new life in America, and even became an elected official in the state that produced George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. How did he decide to repay the greatest nation in the world for its generosity? By taking away the Second Amendment from law abiding, native-born Virginians,” commentator Greg Price said.

Price responded to Salim, touting the new legislation. Salim said that Spanberger’s “signing of SB749 marks a monumental victory for public safety in the Commonwealth of Virginia, banning the sale, manufacture, and transfer of assault firearms and large capacity magazines effective July 1, 2026.”

Rep. Andrew Clyde said of the law passing, "Saddam Azlan Salim, who immigrated from Bangladesh, authored Virginia’s new unconstitutional gun ban. Attempting to naturalize those who hold beliefs that are incompatible with our Constitution is a recipe for disaster—in this case, disarmament."

The “assault weapons ban” has already prompted lawsuits from gun rights groups. The National Rifle Association, joined by others, sued Virginia in state and federal court, accusing the state of violating the right to bear arms, per WTOP.

“The firearms and magazines banned in this law aren’t bizarre and unusual outliers, they’re among the most commonly owned guns and magazines in the country,” said Adam Kraut, the executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation. “They’re owned in the tens of millions by peaceable Americans who use them overwhelmingly lawfully.”