Courts

The National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review Beckwith v. Frey, challenging Maine's 72-hour firearm purchase waiting period. The NRA argues the First Circuit's approach improperly revives interest-balancing rejected in Heller and Bruen, contending waiting periods lack historical tradition and burden Second Amendment rights.

The National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Daniel Defense, LLC v. Lowy, challenging whether firearm manufacturers can be sued for third-party crimes allegedly influenced by military-themed advertising. The brief argues that historical firearms advertising has long included military and civilian uses, and permitting such lawsuits would threaten lawful arms commerce and Second Amendment rights.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Beckwith v. Frey, challenging Maine's firearm waiting period law. SAF argues the First Circuit's decision improperly revives interest-balancing rejected by Heller and Bruen, contending that waiting periods burden constitutional rights and require historical justification.

NSSF filed a lawsuit challenging Connecticut's H.B. 5043, which bans cruciform-trigger handguns effective October 1, 2026. NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane argues the law unconstitutionally infringes Second Amendment rights by targeting law-abiding citizens instead of criminals who illegally modify firearms with machinegun conversion devices.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal ban on direct interstate handgun purchases violates the Second Amendment in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, a major victory for Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC). The court rejected the government's arguments and reversed the lower court's dismissal, holding that the constitutional right to keep and bear arms includes the right to purchase them.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in Christian v. James challenging New York's ban on firearm carry in public parks. FPC argues the ban lacks historical support and asks the Court to resolve conflicts among lower courts on Second Amendment facial challenges and historical interpretation.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of Christian v. James, challenging New York's ban on permitted firearm carry in public parks. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut argues public parks should not be deemed 'sensitive places' under Second Amendment protections.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for summary judgment in Struck v. Davenport asking the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to declare the state's one-gun-a-month handgun purchase ban unconstitutional. FPC's motion cites its successful strike-down of California's similar law and argues New Jersey cannot identify the historical tradition required to justify the restriction.

The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the National Rifle Association, California Rifle and 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 in Johnson v. Jacobson urging the Supreme Court to require states honor concealed-carry permits issued by other states.

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.

Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Century Arms, Canik USA, B&T USA, and Fostech filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Viramontes v. Cook County urging the court to strike down assault weapons bans and affirm that AR-15s and commonly owned semiautomatic rifles are protected by the Second Amendment.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.