Virginia Delegate JJ Singh Pushes Assault Weapons Ban While Carrying Religious Dagger, Sparking Second Amendment Backlash

The first bill, focused on combating gun violence, successfully passed both chambers of the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Singh praised this measure as a step forward in addressing violence in the Commonwealth. However, he also referenced a second bill – an outright ban on assault weapons – which cleared the General Assembly but was not signed into law, presumably vetoed by the governor or stalled in the process.

Singh positioned himself as a co-patron on the assault weapons ban, echoing his earlier statements from February when he declared, ‘This is one of the main reasons I ran for office. We have to ban assault weapons.’ Sponsored by Delegates Michelle Helmer and Senator Saddam Salim, the legislation aimed to prohibit a broad category of firearms classified as ‘assault weapons,’ a term that Second Amendment defenders argue encompasses commonly owned semi-automatic rifles used for hunting, sport, and self-defense.

Singh’s rhetoric extended beyond firearms, equating everyday items like knives, baseball bats, and automobiles with ‘weapons of war’ that have ‘taken’ lives. ‘We need to ban assault weapons and weapons of war have taken,’ he stated, according to accounts of his speech. Critics quickly pointed out the absurdity of labeling cars and bats as assault tools, arguing it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both weaponry and constitutional rights.

As a practicing Sikh, Singh adheres to the faith’s requirement to carry a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger symbolizing readiness to defend the defenseless. This religious artifact, often exempt from standard weapons prohibitions under Virginia law due to accommodations for religious expression, stands in stark contrast to his push for disarmament. Second Amendment advocates have seized on this apparent hypocrisy, questioning why Singh supports exceptions for his dagger while seeking to strip law-abiding Virginians of their firearms.

Virginia’s ongoing battle over gun rights has intensified under Democratic control of the General Assembly. Recent sessions saw proposals that would criminalize possession of many standard rifles, shotguns, and handguns if modified in certain ways, such as threaded barrels on bolt-action rifles or single-shot shotguns. Republican lawmakers, like Delegate Tom Garrett, have fiercely opposed these measures, calling them ‘gobbledygook’ that would turn millions of gun owners into felons simply for transporting their weapons on public roads.

Supporters of the bills, including Singh, argue that such weapons have no place in modern society and contribute disproportionately to violence. Yet data from the Virginia State Police shows that criminals overwhelmingly use illegally obtained handguns in crimes, not the semi-automatic rifles targeted by these bans. Lawful gun owners, who undergo background checks and training, remain the focus despite committing a minuscule fraction of offenses.

Singh’s district in Loudoun County, a suburban area with growing conservative pushback against progressive policies, has seen heightened scrutiny of Democratic lawmakers. His election in a special contest preserved the Democrats’ slim majority, but constituents have voiced concerns over issues ranging from data center sprawl to public safety. Singh has engaged on local matters like opposing high-voltage transmission lines and hosting town halls on e-bikes and college affordability, yet his gun control stance dominates national headlines among conservative circles.

The assault weapons ban effort mirrors broader Democratic priorities post-2024 elections, where Governor Spanberger’s administration has balanced progressive demands with veto threats on extreme measures. While one gun violence bill became law, the assault ban’s failure underscores limits to radical reforms in a state with strong rural and suburban gun cultures.

Second Amendment groups warn that piecemeal erosions pave the way for total confiscation, much like in states such as New York and California. Virginia’s Republican leadership vows to challenge any overreach in court, citing Supreme Court precedents like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which affirmed the right to carry for self-defense.

Singh’s comments have fueled online outrage, with posts highlighting the kirpan exemption and questioning selective disarmament. As debates rage in Richmond, Virginians brace for the next legislative session, where gun rights hang in the balance.

Source: Field reports and eyewitness accounts.