Courts

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a reply brief with the Fifth Circuit in FPC v. ATF, opposing the Trump Administration's attempt to limit judicial relief from its landmark victory against the federal handgun purchase ban for 18-to-20-year-old adults. Despite the DOJ admitting the ban is unconstitutional, FPC argues the government cannot escape consequences without a permanent court order.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a response brief with the U.S. Supreme Court defending its landmark Third Circuit victory against New Jersey's bans on semiautomatic rifles and magazines. FPC urges the Court to hold New Jersey's petition pending the Supreme Court's decision in FPC's Viramontes v. Cook County case, argued December 2.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Louisiana Shooting Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a reply brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the limited scope of relief in a case striking down the federal handgun purchase ban for 18-20-year-olds, arguing the government's voluntary non-enforcement policy is insufficiently permanent.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court seeking to immediately block Pennsylvania's ban on issuing firearm carry licenses to adults under 21, citing binding Third Circuit precedent from Lara v. Paris that established 18-to-20-year-old adults are protected by the Second Amendment.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a federal lawsuit, Maines v. Bethel, challenging Pennsylvania's ban on carry licenses for adults under 21. The case builds on FPC's previous victory in Lara v. Paris, where the Third Circuit affirmed that 18-to-20-year-olds are protected by the Second Amendment.

NSSF filed a preliminary injunction motion with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to block enforcement of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's seven-day waiting period law for firearm purchases. This follows a Tenth Circuit ruling that deemed the law unconstitutional, yet New Mexico continues to appeal and enforce it.

The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Rifle Association filed a motion for preliminary injunction in NSSF v. Torrez, challenging New Mexico's House Bill 129 waiting period law. Despite a previous Tenth Circuit ruling that HB129 was unconstitutional, New Mexico continues enforcing it against residents not named in the Ortega case.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in United States v. Cordova, challenging the use of historical death penalties to justify lifetime firearm bans. FPC argues that permanent disarmament must be based on demonstrated physical danger, not felony convictions or centuries-old punishments.

The National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief in United States v. Cordova before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, urging adoption of a dangerousness standard for disarmament challenges. The brief argues that America's historical tradition supports disarming only dangerous persons, not peaceable citizens or nonviolent felons.

The Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief in United States v. Cordova, urging the Fifth Circuit to adopt a dangerousness standard for lifetime federal firearms bans. The brief argues that historical tradition supports disarming only dangerous persons, not all felons, and that nonviolent felons who completed their sentences should retain Second Amendment rights.

The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) secured a historic victory in Heeter v. James when U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. struck down New York's 2022 body armor ban, holding that defensive body armor is constitutionally protected under the Second Amendment. The court granted FPC summary judgment and issued a permanent injunction against the state's restrictions on purchasing and selling protective armor.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Connecticut Citizens Defense League, faces opposition briefs in Supreme Court cases Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins challenging assault weapons bans in Illinois and Connecticut. Oral arguments are scheduled for December 2.

The NSSF filed a lawsuit against New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez challenging the state's seven-day firearm waiting period, which federal courts have twice ruled unconstitutional. Despite rulings in Ortega v. Grisham, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Torrez continue enforcing the law against law-abiding citizens.

The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit challenging New Mexico's House Bill 129 waiting period for firearms purchases. The suit seeks to expand a previous Tenth Circuit ruling declaring the law unconstitutional to cover all SAF members, as New Mexico continues enforcing it despite the court decision.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed an appeal brief in Wehr-Darroca v. District of Columbia, challenging D.C.'s ban on magazines holding more than ten rounds. FPC seeks to overturn precedent that imposes heightened barriers on Second Amendment challenges, arguing gun owners shouldn't face felony prosecution to contest unconstitutional laws in court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed that the federal government cannot impose a lifetime gun ban on Edward Williams based on his decades-old nonviolent DUI conviction. Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) supported the case, with the court ruling that America's historical tradition permits disarming dangerous people, not permanently disarming peaceable citizens for nonviolent offenses.

Following a federal court victory in Silencer Shop/Jensen v. ATF, Firearms Policy Coalition sent letters to 15 state attorneys general requesting immediate non-enforcement of state laws tied to the now-enjoined NFA registration scheme. The ATF also announced it will no longer enforce many NFA restrictions on short-barreled rifles, suppressors, and other covered arms.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an opposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James's motion to dismiss in Goldberger v. James, challenging the State's ban on firearm carry in Times Square. FPC argues James should remain in the case and that the organization has standing to sue on behalf of its members.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) reached a settlement with Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office to withdraw prohibitions on red-dot sights, weapon-mounted lights, and semiautomatic 1911/2011 pistols for CCW license holders. SAF was joined by private citizens Andrew Moore and James Treuel, represented by attorney John W. Dillon.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Hoffman v. City and County of Denver, seeking to block Colorado and Denver's nonresident carry permit bans. FPC argues the restrictions violate the Second Amendment and Privileges and Immunities Clause, continuing its nationwide campaign to eliminate residency-based gun carry restrictions.