Courts

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The National Rifle Association, joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to the federal lifetime prohibition on firearms possession by nonviolent felons, arguing the regulation is unconstitutional under the Supreme Court's Second Amendment test.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of Connecticut's handgun ban law. NSSF, represented by Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane, challenged the law in NSSF v. Griffin, arguing it violates Second Amendment rights and fails the Supreme Court's Bruen test.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and National Rifle Association filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Johnson v. United States, challenging a lifetime federal firearms ban for nonviolent felons. SAF Director Kostas Moros and Executive Director Adam Kraut argue that historical tradition supports disarming only dangerous persons, not all individuals with felony convictions.

Firearms Policy Coalition, alongside the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Johnson v. United States challenging the federal government's permanent disarmament of people convicted of nonviolent crimes, arguing historical tradition supports disarming dangerous people, not peaceable citizens.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging Colorado and Denver laws that deny non-residents the ability to carry handguns for self-defense. The case, Hoffman v. City and County of Denver, represents FPC's continued nationwide litigation against residency-based carry restrictions, following successful challenges in California, New York, and Louisiana.

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 National Rifle Association (NRA) filed an amicus brief in Daniel Defense v. Lowy, arguing that military-themed firearms advertising should not create manufacturer liability for third-party crimes. SAF Director Kostas Moros and Executive Director Adam Kraut contend that military themes have historically accompanied civilian arms commerce since the Founding.

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.