Southern Police Equipment owner and president Karen Ballengee and manager Jeff Connolly are seen in their Chesterfield County store May 28. Ballengee said that the new Virginia laws, which restrict the sale and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, are changing her business: "It's a big hurt because several different guns, even some hunting guns, are falling into that category, so as an owner of a gun store, I have no idea how bad it's going to hurt come July 1."
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Various guns are seen at Southern Police Equipment on May 28. In May, Virginia recorded 75,376 background checks — more than double the total from the same month last year. Although background checks are not a direct measure of gun sales, they’re widely used as an industry indicator.
Southern Police Equipment owner and president Karen Ballengee talks about her business in Chesterfield on May 28. As of Tuesday, 14 commonwealth's attorneys across the state have said they will not enforce Virginia's new assault weapons ban, calling it unconstitutional.
A sign for Southern Police Equipment in Chesterfield County is seen on May 28. According to the owner, Karen Ballengee, customers are "buying the living daylights out of ARs. ... They're buying guns as fast as they can get their hands on them."
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is seen last month signing House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, which say buying or selling a semiautomatic gun should be a crime, subject to up to 12 months in jail.
Southern Police Equipment owner and president Karen Ballengee and manager Jeff Connolly are seen in their Chesterfield County store May 28. Ballengee said that the new Virginia laws, which restrict the sale and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, are changing her business: "It's a big hurt because several different guns, even some hunting guns, are falling into that category, so as an owner of a gun store, I have no idea how bad it's going to hurt come July 1."
A sign for Southern Police Equipment in Chesterfield County is seen on May 28. According to the owner, Karen Ballengee, customers are "buying the living daylights out of ARs. ... They're buying guns as fast as they can get their hands on them."
Various guns are seen at Southern Police Equipment on May 28. In May, Virginia recorded 75,376 background checks — more than double the total from the same month last year. Although background checks are not a direct measure of gun sales, they’re widely used as an industry indicator.
Southern Police Equipment owner and president Karen Ballengee talks about her business in Chesterfield on May 28. As of Tuesday, 14 commonwealth's attorneys across the state have said they will not enforce Virginia's new assault weapons ban, calling it unconstitutional.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is seen last month signing House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, which say buying or selling a semiautomatic gun should be a crime, subject to up to 12 months in jail.
