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A Lancaster County Circuit Court judge on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing Virginia State Police from enforcing the state’s new assault firearms law before it takes effect next week.

The injunction was granted in Crump v. Katz, a lawsuit brought by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Virginia Citizens Defense League, Virginia Citizens Defense Foundation and individual plaintiffs challenging Senate Bill 749. Implementation was to begin Wednesday on the first day of July.

Attorney General Jay Jones said the commonwealth will seek an emergency stay and appeal the ruling.

“Gun violence is the key driver of violent crime in this commonwealth and nation, and assault weapons are designed intentionally to inflict maximum damage in a matter of seconds,” Jones said in a statement. "The assault weapons ban passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor will save lives in the commonwealth and is compliant with the Constitution of Virginia.

“This ruling is disappointing and puts our communities at risk. The commonwealth will urgently file a motion to stay this ruling and appeal this temporary injunction. We will continue to vigorously defend Virginia’s assault weapons ban and magazine capacity restrictions and uphold the laws designed to keep Virginians safe.”

Senate Bill 749, sponsored by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, prohibits the purchase, sale, manufacture, import and transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms and ammunition feeding devices capable of holding more than 15 rounds. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed it into law.

The plaintiffs argue the law violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution.

Following Thursday’s ruling, Gun Owners of America and the Virginia Citizens Defense League said the injunction also temporarily blocks enforcement of the law’s 15-round magazine capacity limit and public carry restrictions while the case proceeds. Gun Owners of America said the injunction remains in effect through Dec. 31 unless modified by the court.

Salim called the ruling “disappointing, but not surprising” in a post on social media, saying he is confident higher courts will ultimately uphold Senate Bill 749.