The Shooting Wire

Friday, April 17, 2026  ■  Courts

FPC Files Reply Brief in Lawsuit Challenging Massachusetts Handgun Ban

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed its reply brief with the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Granata v. Campbell, its lawsuit challenging Massachusetts's ban on modern, constitutionally protected handguns. FPC's appeal follows the district court's decision last year erroneously ruling in favor of the state.

The plaintiffs challenging the ban include two individual FPC members as well as The Gun Runner, LLC, a retailer in the state. The plaintiffs are represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, and William V. Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, along with Richard Cullin Chambers, Jr. of Chambers Law Office.

The reply brief was filed on April 15, 2026. With briefing complete, the court will either set an oral argument date or issue a decision without arguments.

The brief was filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.

Massachusetts' ban unconstitutionally prohibits common, modern arms that are constitutionally protected by the Second Amendment. Under the state's logic, banning guns is perfectly fine as long as one model of handgun remains legal to buy.

"The Supreme Court held that handguns are protected by the Second Amendment-full stop. But if Massachusetts is allowed to ban the handguns at issue in this case the Second Amendment will mean however little anti-rights politicians decide it means that day. We are pressing forward to end this ban and free the people of Massachusetts from this unconstitutional tyranny-as the Constitution and binding Supreme Court precedent require." -FPC President Brandon Combs.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) is a nonprofit membership organization that exists to create a world of maximal individual liberty and eliminate unconstitutional gun control laws. FPC works—and wins—for the People through high-impact strategic litigation, groundbreaking research, legislative and regulatory advocacy, grassroots activism, education, and public engagement. FPC's legal division, FPC Law, is the nation's leading initiative dedicated to restoring the right to keep and bear arms across the United States. To learn more about how FPC is working—and winning—for the People, sign up for FPC news alerts at firearmspolicy.org and follow FPC on X, Instagram, and Facebook.