Attorney General Jay Jones announced on May 15 a series of recent actions focused on public health, community safety, and defending the democratic process in Virginia.
The update highlights efforts to address illegal vape products, oppose federal changes to firearm mailing rules, and defend voter-approved congressional maps. These topics reflect the Attorney General’s role in promoting public safety and protecting constitutional rights for all Virginians, according to the official website of the Attorney General of Virginia.
Jones said new legislation targeting unregulated vape products will take effect this summer. “The good news is FDA authorized products are eligible for inclusion on our product directory, and we’re excited because on July 1 it will become harder for minors to buy vapes than it ever has been before,” Jones said. He added that his office would “maintain the directory and then continue to work with ABC through the enforcement perspective which we think is the right scheme to really make a meaningful impact to get these products off of children’s hands.” The Attorney General addresses issues including human trafficking and domestic violence through legal advocacy, offers victim assistance programs, provides consumer protection resources such as identity theft reporting services, supports civil rights enforcement initiatives, gives legal counsel to state agencies across Virginia, and serves all residents of the Commonwealth according to the official website.
In response to a proposed United States Postal Service rule change that would allow firearms shipments across state lines by mail, Jones joined 21 other states in opposition. “This loophole puts guns in the hands of those barred by Virginia law from buying weapons… The federal government continues to undermine the law and (is) putting our communities at risk in the process,” he said. Attorneys general argue that such changes could bypass background checks required by law and complicate criminal investigations due to weakened tracing systems.
On voting rights issues, Jones filed an emergency appeal with Chief Justice John Roberts after a divided decision from the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated voter-approved congressional maps. In his filing with the U.S. Supreme Court he wrote: “The irreparable harm resulting from the Supreme Court of Virginia’s decision is profound and immediate… By forcing the Commonwealth to conduct its congressional elections using districts different from those adopted by the General Assembly pursuant to a constitutional amendment… [the court] has deprived voters…of their right” under lawfully enacted districts. He described reviewing what he called an “unprecedented order” while evaluating every legal pathway forward “to defend the will of people.” Lawyers for Jones also argued that state justices “overrode the will of people” who had ratified new district boundaries via referendum.
Additionally this month, Jones delivered keynote addresses at commencement ceremonies for Norfolk State University graduates as well as at upcoming events at Virginia State University alongside Governor Abigail Spanberger—the first woman elected governor—and participated in Law Day activities intended “to remember significance of rule law.”
Looking ahead, officials say they remain committed both legally challenging policies they believe threaten public safety or democracy while also engaging local communities through education events.
