Courts

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a reply brief with the Fifth Circuit in Ziegenfuss v. Martin challenging three Texas laws that criminalize firearm carry at racetracks, alcohol-revenue businesses, and sporting events. Everytown for Gun Safety, the Houston Astros, and other organizations defended the bans, while Texas DPS Director Freeman Martin agreed they are unconstitutional but argued for dismissal on jurisdictional grounds.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an amicus brief in United States v. Squire urging the Fifth Circuit to reverse Curtis Squire's conviction, arguing Congress cannot use the Commerce Clause to criminalize local firearm possession merely because a gun crossed state lines. FPC President Brandon Combs stated the federal government cannot use the Commerce Clause as a backdoor to powers the Constitution never granted it.

The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) secured a major Second Amendment victory when the United States District Court for the District of Delaware ruled that the state's bans on possessing and self-manufacturing unserialized firearms are unconstitutional. The court held that unserialized firearms and firearm frames and receivers are protected "Arms" under the Second Amendment, and that Delaware failed to justify its bans under historical firearm regulations.

The Firearms Policy Coalition thanked numerous individuals and organizations that filed amicus briefs supporting its Viramontes v. Cook County case before the U.S. Supreme Court, which challenges the constitutionality of "assault weapon" bans nationwide. The briefs argue that semiautomatic rifles are protected by the Second Amendment and are in common use for lawful purposes including self-defense, hunting, and target shooting.

The National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief with the American Suppressor Association and Independence Institute in the U.S. Supreme Court urging justices to strike down bans on semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15s, in Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, challenging restrictions in Illinois and Connecticut.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and partners including Maryland Shall Issue, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association filed a reply brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging Maryland's "sensitive places" carry ban in Novotny v. Moore. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut stated the law makes carry permits "useless everywhere" in violation of the Bruen ruling.

The Second Amendment Foundation, along with the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, filed an amicus brief with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Pratt v. Westbrook challenging subjective carry permit denials as unconstitutional under New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Pool v. Besson, asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana to block the state's ban on handgun carry permits for 18-to-20-year-old adults. FPC had previously warned Louisiana of the constitutional violation and provided legislative language to fix it, but the state refused to act.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed its merits brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Viramontes v. Cook County, arguing that bans on semiautomatic rifles violate the Second Amendment. FPC President Brandon Combs stated the case could establish binding precedent eliminating unconstitutional arms bans nationwide.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed its opening brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in cases Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, challenging assault weapons bans in Illinois and Connecticut. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue that AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles are commonly possessed for lawful purposes and protected by the Second Amendment.

A federal judge in Massachusetts denied the government's motion to dismiss a Second Amendment Foundation lawsuit challenging the state's burdensome non-resident license to carry process. The lawsuit, joined by Gun Owners Action League and three individuals, seeks to remove barriers including lengthy delays and mandatory annual renewals that the SAF argues unconstitutionally burden Second Amendment rights.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico ruled New Mexico's seven-day firearm waiting period unconstitutional in Ortega v. Grisham, brought by the National Rifle Association and Mountain States Legal Foundation in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The court found the law violates the Second Amendment as waiting periods lack historical precedent in firearm regulation.

A federal judge ruled the Biden administration's ATF "Frame or Receiver" Rule unconstitutional, siding with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Defense Distributed in Defense Distributed v. Blanche. The court found the rule violated the Second Amendment and due process by impermissibly infringing on the right to manufacture firearms and establishing unconstitutionally vague standards.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), alongside the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation, filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York's Senate Bill S9005C, which bans semiautomatic handguns with cruciform trigger bars. FPC seeks a declaration holding the law unconstitutional and an injunction against enforcement, continuing its nationwide campaign against similar Glock bans in California and Maryland.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) achieved a major victory in Jensen v. ATF when the government failed to appeal a ruling declaring the NFA registration scheme unconstitutional. The injunction is now in effect after President Trump eliminated the $200 tax on short-barreled rifles, suppressors, and other weapons.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in Defense Distributed v. Attorney General of New Jersey, challenging the state's prohibition on publishing computer files for 3D printing firearms. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue that computer code is protected First Amendment speech, no different from gunsmithing textbooks.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and partners including the California Rifle and Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, and Gun Owners of California announced a settlement in California Rifle and Pistol Association v. LASD, resolving claims against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over Second Amendment carry rights violations. The settlement follows LASD's compliance with California's 120-day CCW permit processing requirement and represents significant victories including nonresident carry rights and reformed permit fee structures.

The Second Amendment Foundation filed a reply brief in Harrington v. Crawford, challenging the unconstitutional search of high school student Jack Harrington's vehicle based solely on his lawful gun ownership. SAF Senior Director Bill Sack and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue the search violated Fourth Amendment rights without probable cause or valid consent.

A federal court ruled that challenged NFA provisions are unconstitutional as applied to untaxed firearms in Silencer Shop Foundation v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. SilencerCo, a named commercial plaintiff represented by Wiley Rein LLP, celebrates this landmark decision affecting silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons, representing a significant first step toward broader suppressor reform.

The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Rifle Association and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta, challenging California's Assembly Bill 1127, which bans Glock and Glock-style handguns starting July 1, 2026. SAF argues the ban violates the Second Amendment as handguns are constitutionally protected and in common use.