The Justice Department files lawsuits to block new Virginia and California gun restrictions, saying the measures violate the Second Amendment as interpreted by the Supreme Court.In Virginia the complaint contests a law signed by Abigail Spanberger that bans certain semiautomatic rifles, limits magazines to 15 rounds and criminalizes common AR-15 purchases; it asks courts to prevent manufacture, sale and purchase of listed weapons.In California the complaint challenges new limits on semiautomatic pistols that can be modified into machinegun-capable firearms, targets Glock-style models and seeks an order halting the Handgun Roster and parts of the Unsafe Handgun Act.Acting Attorney General
Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General
Harmeet Dhillon cite the
Supreme Court decision in
Wolford v. Lopez;
Rob Bonta and
Gavin Newsom say they will defend state safety rules while Virginia officials reject the suits.