Virginia gun owners are watching a strange—and troubling—legal stunt unfold.
Attorney General-elect Jay Jones, who doesn’t take office until January 17, 2026, is already trying to act like Virginia’s top law-enforcement official. And his very first move is aimed directly at your gun rights.
Jones is attempting to revive the Universal Background Check (UBC) law—a law that the Lynchburg Circuit Court struck down UBC in late October after ruling it was deeply flawed and unconstitutional in practice.
But instead of waiting for his swearing-in, Jones had a Washington, D.C. law firm file a motion on December 1 asking the Virginia Court of Appeals for permission to file an appeal after he takes office.
The problem? He has no authority to do that. None. Zero.
As Philip Van Cleave of VCDL put it plainly in an alert to members, “until he is sworn in, Jay Jones has no more authority in Virginia than the man in the moon.”
Background: The UBC Law Failed Because It Blocked 18–20-Year-Olds From Buying Handguns
Attorney and Second Amendment litigator Gilbert Ambler explained the legal issue in a video update:
- The 2020 UBC law required all private gun sales to go through an FFL.
- But federal law does NOT allow FFLs to run handgun background checks on 18–20-year-olds.
- That meant young adults were banned from buying handguns entirely.
- In late October 2025, the judge ruled the entire law invalid because “the General Assembly messed it up too badly.” (Ambler, YouTube transcript)
The ruling was a major victory for VCDL, GOA, and Virginia gun owners.
The Commonwealth had until December 1 to appeal. Current Attorney General Jason Miyares DID NOT appeal, which many see as a quiet “parting gift” to gun owners on his way out.
Then Jay Jones Jumped In—Illegally
Instead of accepting the trial court’s ruling, Jones attempted to step over Miyares—despite not yet holding office.
Ambler summarized the problem bluntly:
“Attorney General-Elect Jay Jones is trying to throw his weight around… even though he has not yet taken office, not yet sworn an oath of office, [and] has no power just yet.” —Gilbert Ambler, YouTube
He continued:
“This isn’t really a valid motion… he is just a random outsider right now.” —Ambler
The filing wasn’t even submitted by the state. The signature block belongs to a private D.C. law firm, not the AG’s office.
Ambler said it should be an easy call for the court:
“Sorry, Attorney General-Elect Jones. You have no standing to intervene in this case right now.” —Ambler
Why This Matters
If courts let politicians act like elected officials before they are sworn in, Virginia would no longer have clear lines of authority.
And this is not a one-off accident — it matches Jones’ pattern of behavior and controversies already surrounding his candidacy.
Who Is Jay Jones? A Growing Record of Alarming Behavior
Long before this filing, Jones was already under heavy scrutiny:
- He was convicted of reckless driving at 116 mph.
- He is under investigation for allegedly lying to a court to avoid jail time.
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He sent texts suggesting putting “two bullets to the head” of GOP Speaker Todd Gilbert (Fox News).
- He wondered whether Gilbert and his wife were “breeding little fascists.”
- He allegedly told a lawmaker in 2020 that “a few police officers dying” would reduce police shootings (Virginia Scope).
Republican Attorneys General Association Executive Director Adam Piper summed up the situation:
“Jay Jones’ ongoing criminal investigation and his murderous gun violence fantasies… should prevent him from owning a firearm… and ultimately holding office.”
Gun-control groups have also remained silent.
Everytown, Giffords, BradyPAC—all endorsed Jones. None has withdrawn support, despite the violent rhetoric, threats, and ongoing investigations.
Jones Claims He’s “Protecting Safety”—But the Record Says Otherwise
In his official press release on December 1, Jones said:
“Virginians demanded an Attorney General who will stand up for their safety… Background checks save lives.”
But critics say the filing is not about safety — it’s about grabbing control early.
As VCDL warned:
“Having done so is a flagrant usurpation of the power of the sitting Attorney General.”
The group calls the move the beginning of “the clown show.”
What Happens Next?
VCDL’s attorneys are filing a response. Ambler expects the judge to reject Jones’ motion quickly, saying:
“He is not representing Virginia… It’s up to the current Attorney General.”
If the court grants the extension, Jones would likely file an appeal the day after taking office, attempting to resurrect the UBC law.
Until then, Virginia’s overturned background check mandate stays dead.
Bottom Line for Gun Owners
This incident gives Virginians an early preview of the aggressive gun-control agenda Jay Jones plans to bring into office:
- Acting without authority
- Using outside D.C. lawyers
- Trying to revive a law already declared invalid
- Ignoring violent threats and past misconduct
- Backed by national gun-control groups who refuse to disavow him
Gun owners should stay alert. If this is how Jones behaves before taking office, it raises a serious question:
What will he try once he actually has the power?
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