Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney will not charge for “technical violations” of new assault weapons law

Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins Jr. said on Sunday that “his office would not support criminal charges resulting solely from technical violations” of the “assault weapons ban” bill, which will take effect on July 1. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the bill into law on Friday, making it a crime for anyone to import, sell, manufacture, transfer or purchase an assault weapon, with some exceptions. It would also make it illegal to import, sell, barter, transfer or purchase a magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition, with some exceptions. Blevins said in a release addressed to “All Smyth County Law Enforcement” that the new law is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. Blevins said the position does not apply to “violent offenders, prohibited possessors, drug traffickers, gang-related offenses, or individuals using firearms in furtherance of criminal activity.”