Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation & VCDL Win Major Victory in Virginia Universal Background Check Case 

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 16, 2025 

Today, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation and the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) secured a permanent injunction against the State of Virginia’s universal background check law (Virginia Code Section 18.2-308.2:5) in the case of Wilson v. Hanley. 

GOA, GOF and our allies filed suit in June of 2020, challenging the law as soon as it was enacted. Today’s victory affirms that universal background checks are inconsistent with the Second Amendment.  

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: 

“This victory is fantastic news. Universal background checks are a massive infringement on the rights of law-abiding citizens—and they do nothing to stop criminals from getting guns. This victory will no doubt play a major role in next month’s election. 

John Velleco, Executive Vice President of GOF added: 

“For five years, Gun Owners Foundation fought for Virginians’ right to purchase firearms without infringement. Let this victory be a lesson to any Virginia legislator who might consider violating the Second Amendment.” 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

-GOA-