Virginia gun house owners are watching a wierd—and troubling—authorized stunt unfold.
Lawyer Basic-elect Jay Jones, who doesn’t take workplace till January 17, 2026, is already attempting to behave like Virginia’s prime law-enforcement official. And his very first transfer is aimed instantly at your gun rights.
Jones is making an attempt to revive the Common Background Verify (UBC) legislation—a legislation that the Lynchburg Circuit Courtroom struck down UBC in late October after ruling it was deeply flawed and unconstitutional in observe.
However as a substitute of ready for his swearing-in, Jones had a Washington, D.C. legislation agency file a movement on December 1 asking the Virginia Courtroom of Appeals for permission to file an enchantment after he takes workplace.
The issue? He has no authority to try this. None. Zero.
As Philip Van Cleave of VCDL put it plainly in an alert to members, “till he’s sworn in, Jay Jones has no extra authority in Virginia than the person within the moon.”
Background: The UBC Legislation Failed As a result of It Blocked 18–20-12 months-Olds From Shopping for Handguns
Lawyer and Second Modification litigator Gilbert Ambler defined the authorized concern in a video replace:
The 2020 UBC legislation required all personal gun gross sales to undergo an FFL.
However federal legislation does NOT enable FFLs to run handgun background checks on 18–20-year-olds.
That meant younger adults have been banned from shopping for handguns fully.
In late October 2025, the choose dominated all the legislation invalid as a result of “the Basic Meeting messed it up too badly.” (Ambler, YouTube transcript)
The ruling was a serious victory for VCDL, GOA, and Virginia gun house owners.
The Commonwealth had till December 1 to enchantment. Present Lawyer Basic Jason Miyares DID NOT enchantment, which many see as a quiet “parting present” to gun house owners on his approach out.
Then Jay Jones Jumped In—Illegally
As a substitute of accepting the trial court docket’s ruling, Jones tried to step over Miyares—regardless of not but holding workplace.
Ambler summarized the issue bluntly:
“Lawyer Basic-Elect Jay Jones is attempting to throw his weight round… despite the fact that he has not but taken workplace, not but sworn an oath of workplace, [and] has no energy simply but.” —Gilbert Ambler, YouTube
He continued:
“This isn’t actually a sound movement… he’s only a random outsider proper now.” —Ambler
The submitting wasn’t even submitted by the state. The signature block belongs to a personal D.C. legislation agency, not the AG’s workplace.
Ambler stated it needs to be a simple name for the court docket:
“Sorry, Lawyer Basic-Elect Jones. You don’t have any standing to intervene on this case proper now.” —Ambler
Why This Issues
If courts let politicians act like elected officers earlier than they’re sworn in, Virginia would now not have clear strains of authority.
And this isn’t a one-off accident — it matches Jones’ sample of habits and controversies already surrounding his candidacy.
Who Is Jay Jones? A Rising Document of Alarming Habits
Lengthy earlier than this submitting, Jones was already underneath heavy scrutiny:
He was convicted of reckless driving at 116 mph.
He’s underneath investigation for allegedly mendacity to a court docket to keep away from jail time.
He despatched texts suggesting placing “two bullets to the top” of GOP Speaker Todd Gilbert (Fox Information).
He questioned whether or not Gilbert and his spouse have been “breeding little fascists.”
He allegedly informed a lawmaker in 2020 that “a couple of cops dying” would scale back police shootings (Virginia Scope).
Republican Attorneys Basic Affiliation Govt Director Adam Piper summed up the state of affairs:
“Jay Jones’ ongoing legal investigation and his murderous gun violence fantasies… ought to stop him from proudly owning a firearm… and in the end holding workplace.”
Gun-control teams have additionally remained silent.
Everytown, Giffords, BradyPAC—all endorsed Jones. None has withdrawn help, regardless of the violent rhetoric, threats, and ongoing investigations.
Jones Claims He’s “Defending Security”—However the Document Says In any other case
In his official press launch on December 1, Jones stated:
“Virginians demanded an Lawyer Basic who will get up for his or her security… Background checks save lives.”
However critics say the submitting is just not about security — it’s about grabbing management early.
As VCDL warned:
“Having accomplished so is a flagrant usurpation of the ability of the sitting Lawyer Basic.”
The group calls the transfer the start of “the clown present.”
What Occurs Subsequent?
VCDL’s attorneys are submitting a response. Ambler expects the choose to reject Jones’ movement rapidly, saying:
“He’s not representing Virginia… It’s as much as the present Lawyer Basic.”
If the court docket grants the extension, Jones would doubtless file an enchantment the day after taking workplace, making an attempt to resurrect the UBC legislation.
Till then, Virginia’s overturned background examine mandate stays lifeless.
Backside Line for Gun Homeowners
This incident offers Virginians an early preview of the aggressive gun-control agenda Jay Jones plans to deliver into workplace:
Performing with out authority
Utilizing exterior D.C. attorneys
Making an attempt to revive a legislation already declared invalid
Ignoring violent threats and previous misconduct
Backed by nationwide gun-control teams who refuse to disavow him
Gun house owners ought to keep alert. If that is how Jones behaves earlier than taking workplace, it raises a severe query:
What’s going to he attempt as soon as he really has the ability?
We’re in harmful instances! We’re SO CLOSE to our last funding objectives! Together with your assist we will make it!
Common Background Checks Struck Down In Virginia
Hypocrisy: Everytown Funded VA Democrat Who Mentioned GOP Speaker Deserved “Two Bullets”
