On Wednesday, June 3, Lynchburg Circuit Judge Patrick Yeatts denied Virginia’s request to dissolve an injunction that blocks universal background checks for private firearm sales. The ruling upholds the October 2025 court order, which remains in effect and requires state law enforcement to comply.

Virginia State Police had temporarily restarted private firearm background checks last week under a new law passed on April 22, 2026. However, the checks were halted again following Yeatts’ decision.

The case, known as Wilson v. Hanley, was brought by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, and individual plaintiffs. In October 2025, a federal court struck down Virginia’s universal background check law for private firearm sales and granted a permanent statewide injunction.

Yeatts stated that his statewide permanent injunction remains fully in effect and that Virginia law enforcement must comply with it. He also rejected efforts to undermine the injunction.

The judge ordered legal counsel for the plaintiff — the Virginia Citizens Defense League — and the defendant — Col. Jeffrey Katz, superintendent of the Virginia State Police — to file additional information within 10 days before a hearing in June.

Virginia State Police confirmed on Wednesday evening that they are “in compliance with the injunction” and “currently cannot provide criminal history background checks for the private sale of firearms.”