Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation banning certain semi-automatic firearms. The new law is to take effect July 1. It prohibits the sale and manufacture of what it describes as "assault firearms." But gun-rights groups quickly sued seeking to block the new law. The measure is one of about two dozen laws restricting or regulating guns that have been signed this year by Virginia's Democratic governor. That marks a major shift from the previous Republican administration. Spanberger said Friday that the gun limits are intended to protect families. But gun-rights groups said they violate the constitutional right to bear arms.