Guns in the News — 2026

Firearms-related headlines continue to shape public conversation and policy discussions across the country. Each month, we’ll gather the notable stories involving firearms, self-defense and the Second Amendment, providing context and clarity for responsible gun owners navigating an often confusing news cycle.

June Gun News

Florida Appeals Court Strikes Down Carry Ban

A Florida appeals court ruled that the state’s ban on concealed carry by adults ages 18 to 20 violates the Second Amendment. The court said young adults are entitled to the same constitutional protections as other law-abiding adults and rejected treating their self-defense rights differently.
Fox News, Florida

DOJ Opens Philadelphia Gun Rights Investigation

The Department of Justice opened a Second Amendment investigation into the Philadelphia Police Department over alleged violations involving gun-carry permits. DOJ said it is examining whether the city revokes licenses for subjective reasons inconsistent with Pennsylvania law and recent Supreme Court precedent.
The Reload, Pennsylvania

Virginia Governor Signs Gun Bills

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of gun-related legislation aimed at preventing violence, expanding “red flag” laws and addressing private storage and unserialized firearms. The governor’s office said the bills include measures closing the “Boyfriend Loophole” and requiring safe storage of guns.
WDBJ7, Virginia

Texas Senate Candidate Discusses Gun Policy

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico said he would break with Democrats on guns but did not provide specific policy examples. Talarico said Americans have a right to bear arms for self-defense, sport and hunting while adding that no Bill of Rights freedom is absolute.
The Reload, Texas

Supreme Court Declines to Hear New York Liability Law Case

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to New York’s firearms liability law. The appeal was brought by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and several firearms manufacturers, who argued the state law conflicts with the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
13WHAM, New York

Supreme Court Declines Felon Gun Case

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the Justice Department’s appeal in a non-violent felon gun case. The case involved a Fifth Circuit ruling that tossed a firearm-possession indictment against a man whose predicate offense was failing to pay child support.
The Reload

Democrats Deprioritize Gun Control

Democratic lawmakers told NOTUS that gun control is no longer their top legislative issue. Many said they still support measures such as “red flag” laws and a federal modern sporting rifle ban but acknowledged the political environment has made action difficult.
NOTUS

Florida AG Challenges Waiting Period

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asked a federal judge to find the state’s three-day waiting period for most gun purchases unconstitutional. The request would end the “cooling off” period while leaving any required background check in place.
The Florida Times Union, Florida

Minnesota Binary Trigger Ban Remains Blocked

The Minnesota Court of Appeals declined to reinstate the state’s ban on binary trigger devices. The decision left in place a lower court ruling that stopped enforcement while the legal challenge proceeds.
MPR News, Minnesota

Virginia Gun Sales Rise Before Ban

Virginia gun sales more than doubled year over year in May as a new sales ban on AR-15s and similar firearms approaches. The Reload reported that at least 14 commonwealth’s attorneys said they would not enforce the law, which takes effect July 1, 2026.
The Reload, Virginia

Brady Sues ATF Over Records

Brady sued the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Justice over records related to sellers of crime guns. The lawsuit seeks documents and information identifying the largest sellers of crime guns in the United States.
NPR

Ninth Circuit Reconsiders Open Carry Case

An en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit reconsidered a challenge to California restrictions on open carry of firearms. The case involves a Siskiyou County man challenging statutes his attorney argued criminalize open carry.
Courthouse News Service, California

SIG Sauer Lawsuit Moves Forward

SIG Sauer must face a product liability lawsuit from a New York police detective who alleges his pistol fired on its own during training. A divided federal appeals court allowed the lawsuit to proceed.
Reuters, New York

Virginia Resumes Private-Sale Checks

Virginia State Police resumed background checks on private gun sales after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation with an emergency clause. The move followed a prior court order that had paused the practice for private sales at gun shows while litigation continues.
Virginia Scope, Virginia

Eighth Circuit Rejects Reciprocity Challenge

The Eighth Circuit dismissed a challenge to Minnesota’s gun-carry permit reciprocity restrictions. The court ruled that Minnesota’s refusal to recognize certain out-of-state permits does not violate the Second Amendment.
The Reload, Minnesota

Report Tracks Falling Murder Rate

America is on pace for its lowest murder rate on record based on analysis from crime data analyst Jeff Asher. However, final FBI data for 2025 and 2026 will not be available until later.
The Reload

New York Bans Digital Gun Files

New York lawmakers moved to criminalize digital gun files used to 3D-print firearm parts and to regulate printers capable of using those files. The Reload reported the package also targeted certain Glock-style pistols and could face constitutional challenges.
The Reload, New York

ATF License Revocations Fall

The ATF revoked fewer gun-store licenses in 2025 under the Trump administration. ATF data released under the Freedom of Information Act showed 56 license revocations in 2025, down from 183 the previous year.
USA Today

Virginia Gun Ban Lawsuit Moves Forward

A Virginia judge denied a request to temporarily block the state’s new restrictions on what the law calls “assault firearms,” leaving the law on track to take effect July 1. The lawsuit challenges the law under the Virginia Constitution, but the judge found the plaintiffs had not met the legal standard for a preliminary injunction.
The Center Square, Virginia

Fifth Circuit Rules Silencers Protected

A three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit ruled that silencers are protected by the Second Amendment but upheld a conviction for possessing unregistered silencers. The court found that the National Firearms Act’s registration system could still be enforced because the defendant did not show it had been applied abusively.
The Reload

Supreme Court Backs Marijuana User

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a Texas gun owner who used marijuana, holding that regular marijuana use alone was not enough to strip him of his Second Amendment rights. The Court said its ruling was narrow and did not decide whether Congress could restrict firearm possession by addicts, intoxicated individuals or people shown to be dangerous.
The Reload

May Gun News

Second Circuit Strikes Down New York ‘Vampire Rule’

The Second Circuit ruled that New York may not require licensed gun carriers to obtain affirmative consent before carrying on publicly accessible private property. The panel found the rule lacked sufficient historical support under Bruen, while separately upholding New York’s ban on carry in public parks.
The Reload, New York

ATF Says Gender ID Rule Is Not a Trans Gun Ban

ATF Chief Counsel Robert Leider said a proposed rule requiring firearm purchasers to list biological sex at birth on ATF forms is not intended to bar transgender or non-binary people from buying guns. The proposal has drawn criticism from Pink Pistols and public commenters who argue it could create confusion when state identification does not match the required ATF form entry.
The Reload

Virginia Prosecutors Refuse to Enforce New Gun Bans

At least four Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys said they will not enforce the state’s new “assault firearms” and magazine bans. The prosecutors from Spotsylvania, Smyth, Powhatan and Pulaski counties argued the laws are unconstitutional or constitutionally questionable, after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the bans into law.
The Reload, Virginia

Missouri Bill Would Allow Armed ‘Rangers’ in Schools

Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Kehoe a bill allowing schools to hire volunteer or paid “Missouri Rangers” who could carry firearms on school grounds. The proposal would create a training program of up to 160 hours, including firearms, close-quarter combat, bomb and arson, de-escalation and legal instruction.
Missouri Independent, Missouri

Philadelphia Revokes Gun Permits

Philadelphia revoked several carry licenses held by members of the Black Lion Party for International Solidarity after an armed January encounter with police. The city cited “good cause” and “character and reputation,” while the group and its attorney argue the revocations violate First and Second Amendment rights.
The Trace, Pennsylvania

DOJ Civil Rights Division Investigates Gun Rights Violations

The Department of Justice has created a special Civil Rights Division unit focused on alleged violations of gun rights. The unit is using civil rights enforcement tools to sue or pressure cities and states over gun-control laws, including Denver’s long-standing ban on certain semi-automatic rifles.
Boise State Public Radio

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Illinois FOID Law

The New Civil Liberties Alliance sued Illinois officials over the state’s Firearm Owners Identification Act. The lawsuit argues the FOID requirement violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments by requiring residents to obtain and carry state permission before possessing firearms or ammunition.
Fox News, Illinois

Gun Rights Groups See Gains Under Trump ATF Rules

Gun rights groups told NPR they see a favorable regulatory environment under the Trump administration as the ATF advances dozens of proposed and final rule changes. The rules focus largely on reducing paperwork, rolling back blocked regulations and aligning federal policy with priorities supported by the gun-rights movement.
KUNM

Minnesota Gun-Control Advocates Press for House Vote

Gun-control advocates delivered more than 8,000 petition signatures to Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth seeking a floor vote on a gun safety bill. House DFL members staged an overnight sit-in after repeated requests for action were denied, while Demuth said the bills had stalled in committee.
FOX 9, Minnesota

Trump ATF Director Signs 34 Rule Changes After Confirmation

New ATF Director Robert Cekada signed 34 firearm rulemaking proposals shortly after Senate confirmation. The package includes seven final rules and 27 proposed rules aimed at repealing, modernizing, clarifying or reducing burdens in federal firearms regulations.
The Reload

House Oversight Hearing Focuses on ATF Overreach

The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on safeguarding the Second Amendment from federal overreach. The hearing focused on ATF compliance with the Tiahrt Amendment, firearm trace data disclosures, electronic recordkeeping and the agency’s recently announced 34 rulemaking actions.
House Oversight Committee

Virginia Rifle Sales Surge as AR-15 Ban Looms

Virginia rose to fourth nationally in total firearms sales-related background checks and second in long gun checks as Gov. Abigail Spanberger weighed firearm and magazine bans. The state’s sales-related background checks increased nearly 79 percent year-over-year amid pending restrictions on “assault firearms” and magazines over 15 rounds.
The Reload, Virginia

ACLU Joins Second Amendment Challenge in Marijuana Gun Case

The ACLU joined a Supreme Court case challenging the federal firearm ban for unlawful drug users, marking what the group described as its first affirmative representation of an individual making a Second Amendment claim. The case involves Ali Hemani, a Texas marijuana user charged under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), and raises due process, vagueness and Second Amendment arguments.
Reason.com

Minnesota Justices Weigh Mental Health Gun Ban

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments over whether a man whose civil commitment was stayed and later dismissed remains barred from possessing firearms under federal law. The case turns on the meaning of “adjudicated as a mental defective” and whether a temporary mental health crisis can trigger a lifetime firearm prohibition.
Courthouse News, Minnesota

ATF Publishes Major Gun Rule Rollbacks

ATF published the first 21 rules in a broader package aimed at rolling back major federal firearms regulations. The proposals include rescinding the Biden-era pistol brace rule and “engaged in the business” rule, along with a final rule removing bump stock language from the federal machine gun definition installed during the first Trump administration.
The Reload

ATF Proposes Broader Interstate Firearm Travel Protections

ATF proposed a rule clarifying federal protections for transporting firearms and ammunition across state lines. The proposal would treat overnight lodging, food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, emergencies, medical treatment and transfers between transportation modes as protected parts of interstate transport under FOPA.
The Reload

First Circuit Upholds Noncitizen Gun Possession Ban

The First Circuit ruled that the federal ban on firearm possession by noncitizens unlawfully present in the United States is constitutional. Bloomberg Law reported the court found the restriction consistent with historical firearm regulations presented by the government under Supreme Court precedent.
Bloomberg Law News

April Gun News

USPS Moves to Allow Mailing of Handguns

The U.S. Postal Service announced plans to allow the mailing of handguns, reversing its longstanding prohibition on shipping pistols through the mail. The proposed change would align USPS policy more closely with private carrier practices, though implementation details and regulatory updates are still under development.
The Reload, National

Federal Appeals Court Considers Machine Gun Ban Challenge

The Eleventh Circuit heard arguments in a case challenging the federal prohibition on civilian possession of machine guns. Plaintiffs argue the ban violates the Second Amendment, while the government maintains it is consistent with longstanding federal law and public safety considerations. A ruling has not yet been issued.
Courthouse News

Maryland Bill Targets Glock-Style Pistols and Modifications

Maryland lawmakers are advancing legislation targeting Glock-style pistols and devices that can modify semi-automatic firearms to fire more rapidly. The bill would restrict certain handgun models and conversion components as part of a broader effort to address firearm modifications. The proposal now heads to the governor for consideration.
Fox Baltimore, Maryland

Proposal Would Expand Concealed Carry Rights for Special Operations Veterans

Federal lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at expanding concealed carry privileges for U.S. special operations veterans. The proposal would allow qualifying veterans to carry firearms across state lines under certain conditions, similar to existing provisions for active and retired law enforcement. The bill is intended to recognize specialized training and service backgrounds.
The Defense Post

Virginia Legislature Rejects Governor’s Proposed Gun Law Changes

Virginia lawmakers rejected several proposed amendments from Gov. Abigail Spanberger that would have tightened firearms restrictions, including changes to magazine limits and hospital carry bans. The legislature declined to adopt the governor’s revisions, leaving the original versions of the bills in place. The decision marks a setback for efforts to expand the scope of the proposed restrictions.
The Reload, Virginia

DOJ Signals Opposition to Virginia Assault Weapons Ban

The U.S. Department of Justice warned that Virginia’s proposed assault weapons ban could face legal challenges under the Second Amendment. Federal officials indicated the measure may conflict with recent Supreme Court precedent, raising questions about its enforceability. The warning comes as the state continues to debate the legislation.
Pilot Online, Virginia

Federal Appeals Court Upholds New York City Stun Gun Ban

A federal appeals court upheld New York City’s ban on civilian possession of stun guns. The court found the restriction consistent with historical firearm regulations, allowing the city to continue enforcing the prohibition. The decision highlights the Supreme Court’s lack of definitive guidance on when it is lawful to ban entire classes of weapons.
The Reload, New York

Ninth Circuit Orders Rehearing in California Open Carry Case

The Ninth Circuit ordered an en banc rehearing in a case challenging California’s restrictions on open carry of firearms. The move vacates the prior panel decision and signals the full court will reconsider the constitutional questions surrounding public carry rights. The outcome could have significant implications for carry laws across the circuit.
Bloomberg Law, California

Kentucky Legislature Overrides Veto on Young Adult Concealed Carry Law

Kentucky lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of House Bill 312, enacting a law to create a provisional concealed carry license for individuals ages 18 to 20. The measure requires background checks and firearms training while limiting the license’s validity to within the state. The override completes the bill’s passage into law despite earlier executive opposition.
WLKY, Kentucky

DOJ Expands Support for Second Amendment Litigation

The Department of Justice is providing additional resources to support litigation involving Second Amendment issues, including participation in cases challenging state gun laws. Officials indicated the effort is part of a broader initiative to engage more actively in firearms-related constitutional disputes. The move signals increased federal involvement in ongoing gun law litigation.
The Washington Times

Democratic Lawmakers Seek Data on U.S. Gun Exports

Democratic members of Congress requested federal data on U.S. firearm exports allegedly linked to cartel activity and criminal violence abroad. The inquiry asks agencies to provide details on export practices and enforcement measures tied to international gun trafficking concerns. The request could inform future legislative or regulatory proposals.
Reuters

Federal Judge Upholds Maryland Red Flag Law

A federal judge upheld Maryland’s red flag law, which allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The court found the statute consistent with constitutional requirements, allowing the law to remain in effect.
The Reload, Maryland

Federal Judge Upholds Post Office Gun Ban, Creating Circuit Split

A federal judge upheld the longstanding ban on carrying firearms in post office buildings, concluding the restriction is constitutional. The decision creates a split with another federal court that previously found the ban unconstitutional, increasing the likelihood of further appellate review. The case centers on how Second Amendment protections apply to federal property.
The Reload

Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Maine Waiting Period Law

A federal appeals court reinstated Maine’s firearm waiting period law after a lower court had blocked it. The ruling allows the state to enforce the delay on gun purchases while legal challenges continue. The case remains ongoing as courts consider the law’s constitutionality.
The Reload, Maine

New Hampshire Lawmakers Debate Campus Carry Bill

New Hampshire lawmakers held a public hearing on HB 1793-FN, which would allow carrying firearms on college campuses. The proposal drew testimony from both supporters and opponents and remains under legislative consideration.
InDepthNH, New Hampshire

Supreme Court Declines Illinois Public Transit Carry Case

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Illinois’ prohibition on concealed carry in public transit systems. The decision leaves lower court rulings in place that upheld the restriction. The case will not proceed further at the federal level.
Chicago Tribune, Illinois

Maryland Gun Dealer to Pay Settlement Over Ghost Gun Sales

A Maryland firearms dealer agreed to pay a $2 million settlement to Baltimore over allegations tied to the sale of unserialized “ghost gun” components. Hanover Armory agreed not to sell any unserialized gun kits, mechanical conversion devices like “Glock switches,” bump stocks, or forced reset triggers. The company also agreed to regularly share purchasing data with the city moving forward.
The Reload, Maryland

Connecticut House Passes Ban on Convertible Pistols

The Connecticut House passed legislation banning certain “convertible” pistols capable of being modified to fire additional rounds or function more like fully automatic weapons. The bill targets firearm modification devices and now moves forward in the legislative process. Lawmakers remain divided as it advances.
The Reload, Connecticut

March Gun News

Beretta Denies Ruger Takeover Allegations

Sturm, Ruger & Co. publicly accused Beretta of trying to gain control of the company through discounted share purchases and outsized board influence, but Beretta responded that Ruger’s account was false and misleading. The dispute centers on Beretta’s roughly 10 percent stake in Ruger and competing claims over whether the Italian gunmaker was pursuing a hostile takeover or a strategic minority investment.
The Reload

Legislature Sends Virginia 2026 Gun Bills to Governor

Virginia lawmakers passed Senate Bill 749, which would prohibit the future manufacture, sale and purchase of many semi-automatic firearms classified as so-called assault weapons along with magazines holding more than 15 rounds. Current owners could keep affected firearms and magazines they already possess. The bill was sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger after clearing the legislature.
The Reload, Virginia

Ohio Bill Would Update Concealed Carry Rules

Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona introduced the Freedom to Carry Act, a bill aimed at revising state carry law. The proposal would make it easier to transport rifles and shotguns in vehicles without violating the law and would lower the minimum age for obtaining a concealed handgun license from 21 to 18.
The Vindicator, Ohio

Kentucky House Advances Gun Industry Liability Shield

The Kentucky House advanced House Bill 78, which would shield firearm manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits over criminal misuse of their products by third parties. The bill would also bar local governments from imposing liability on gun makers, sellers and trade associations for criminal misuse, alteration or modification of firearms. It passed the House 75-17 before moving to the Senate.
Kentucky Lantern, Kentucky

States Step In to Defend USPS Handgun Mailing Ban

New York, New Jersey and Delaware Attorneys General moved to defend the federal ban on mailing handguns through the U.S. Postal Service after the Justice Department declined to continue defending the restriction. The challenge puts renewed attention on a long-standing federal mailing rule that affects handgun shipments nationwide.
The Truth About Guns

Ninth Circuit Upholds Gun Ban

The Ninth Circuit ruled that people convicted of domestic violence may be permanently barred from possessing guns or ammunition under federal law. In two cases from California and Alaska, the court said the 1996 law fits within the nation’s historical tradition of disarming dangerous individuals, including those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
San Francisco Chronicle, California

Michigan Legislation Aims to Expand Concealed Carry

Michigan lawmakers introduced House Bill 5653 to remove the state’s concealed pistol license requirement for lawful handgun carriers. If enacted, Michigan would become the 30th constitutional carry state while retaining its current open-carry framework for lawful gun owners.
ABC 57, Michigan

The same legislation would allow concealed carry in currently restricted locations, including bars and churches. The bills would remove certain pistol-free zones under state law, expanding where licensed individuals can lawfully carry while maintaining existing permitting requirements.
MLive, Michigan

Vermont House Committee Advances New Gun Restrictions

A Vermont House committee advanced a gun bill that includes a provision barring firearm ownership and purchases by people under a current court order for outpatient mental health treatment. That restriction became the bill’s most disputed element, with Republicans saying they otherwise could have supported the measure. The bill’s other provisions would make it a felony to steal a firearm, with increased penalties for subsequent offenses, and make it illegal to own or sell machine guns or devices that can turn other guns into machine guns.
Valley News, Vermont

Los Angeles Court Backlog Left Felony Convictions Out of Background Check System

Los Angeles County Superior Court disclosed that it failed over two decades to send hundreds of thousands of arrest disposition reports to the California Department of Justice. According to the court, the backlog covered 464,000 reports affecting 408,000 individuals and included roughly 147,000 felony convictions, meaning prohibited persons may have been able to pass firearm background checks.
The Reload, California

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Marijuana User Gun Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani, a case challenging the federal prohibition on firearm possession by unlawful users of controlled substances. During arguments, a majority of justices appeared uneasy with the government’s position that regular marijuana use alone is enough to justify disarmament.
The Reload

National Constitutional Carry Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced the National Constitutional Carry Act, a bill that would allow lawful gun owners to carry firearms for self-defense in all 50 states without relying on state permit systems. The measure is intended to establish nationwide permitless carry and preempt conflicting state and local restrictions.
The Truth About Guns

D.C. Magazine Ban Unconstitutional

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals struck down the city’s ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds. In a 2-1 ruling, the court held that such magazines are in common use and protected by the Second Amendment.
The Reload, District of Columbia

Supreme Court Declines NRA Damages Case

The Supreme Court declined to hear the NRA’s bid to revive damages claims against former New York financial regulator Maria Vullo. That leaves in place a Second Circuit ruling granting Vullo qualified immunity despite the High Court’s earlier determination that her conduct toward the NRA violated the First Amendment.
The Reload, New York

Georgia Jury Convicts Father in Apalachee High School Shooting Case

A Georgia jury found Colin Gray guilty of second-degree murder and all remaining charges tied to the Apalachee High School shooting allegedly carried out by his son. Prosecutors argued Gray provided the firearm and ammunition despite warning signs about his son’s deteriorating mental state, making the case one of only three prosecutions of a parent tied to a mass shooting.
CBS News, Georgia

Kentucky Passes Concealed Carry for Young Adults

Kentucky lawmakers gave final passage to House Bill 312, which would create a provisional concealed carry license for residents ages 18 to 20. The bill requires applicants to pass a background check and complete firearms and legal training, while limiting the license’s validity to Kentucky without reciprocity in other states. The measure now heads to the governor’s desk following debate over training standards and public safety concerns.
Dawson Springs Progress, Kentucky

Republicans Push Campus Carry Expansion Across Multiple States

Republican lawmakers in eight states (Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming) are advancing legislation to allow concealed carry on college campuses. The proposals vary by state but generally aim to permit lawful gun owners to carry on public college grounds.
Fox News

Colorado House Passes Bill Targeting 3D-Printed Gun Components

The Colorado House passed legislation aimed at restricting the manufacture and distribution of certain 3D-printed firearm components and related instructions. The bill would prohibit the possession and sharing of digital files used to produce unserialized gun parts, as well as the parts themselves, as part of a broader effort to regulate so-called “ghost guns.” The measure now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
KDVR, Colorado

West Virginia Machine Gun Bill Blocked by Senate Procedure

A West Virginia bill addressing machine gun regulations was sidelined in the Senate due to procedural rules before receiving a full vote. Lawmakers indicated the measure ran out of time under legislative deadlines, preventing further consideration during the current session. Supporters may revisit the proposal in a future session.
West Virginia Watch, West Virginia

Minnesota Senate Committee Advances Assault Weapons Ban

A Minnesota Senate committee approved a bill that would ban certain semi-automatic firearms classified as “assault-style weapons.” The proposal includes restrictions on the sale and possession of specified firearms and now advances for further consideration in the legislature. Lawmakers remain divided as the bill moves through the legislative process.
KSTP, Minnesota

February Gun Law Updates & Gun News

Ghost Guns Not Linked to Higher Homicides

A new study from New York University found that states with higher rates of privately made “ghost guns” also experienced higher firearm suicide rates. Researchers did not find a corresponding increase in homicides. The study analyzed federal trace data and mortality statistics, highlighting ongoing debate over the impact of unserialized firearms.
Gothamist, New York

DOJ Backs Gun Rights Groups

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief siding with gun rights organizations challenging Massachusetts’ sweeping firearms restrictions, arguing the law may violate the Second Amendment under the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework.
USA Carry, Massachusetts

Appeals Court Upholds Ban on Firearms With Obliterated Serial Numbers

A federal appeals court upheld the constitutionality of a ban on possessing firearms with removed or altered serial numbers, rejecting a Second Amendment challenge. The court found that restrictions on defaced firearms are consistent with historical regulations and permissible under current Supreme Court precedent.
Bloomberg Law

New Mexico Gun Ban Fails

On Jan. 22 Democratic legislators in New Mexico introduced SB 17, which would ban assault weapons. On Feb. 7, the Senate passed the bill on a 21-17 vote, and it will head to the House. As of Feb. 19, the bill failed to advance in the 30-day session.
Source NM, New Mexico

Political Fallout Grows After Alex Pretti Killing

The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti has intensified debate over gun policy, with former President Donald Trump criticizing certain gun carry policies. The incident has prompted renewed discussion among lawmakers and advocacy groups about public carry laws and federal enforcement priorities.
The Reload

Virginia Gun Law Updates

On Jan. 7, Dan Helmer (D-10) reintroduced HB 217 in the Virginia House of Delegates, which would ban large-capacity magazines and prohibit the importation, sale, purchase or transfer of assault weapons. On Feb. 5, the House approved the bill on a 58-34 vote, and it will head to the Senate.

Likewise, on Jan. 19, Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) introduced SB 749 in the Virginia Senate, which would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports or transfers an assault weapon. On Feb. 9, the Senate approved the bill on a 21-19 vote.
WCYB, Virginia

ATF Director Nominee

President Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives encountered relatively little opposition during his Senate confirmation hearing. Lawmakers questioned the nominee about regulatory priorities, enforcement authority and the agency’s role in ongoing Second Amendment litigation. Robert Cekada, the current deputy director of the ATF, has received widespread support from law enforcement groups and the gun industry.
The Reload

D.C. Declines to Release Data on Gun Possession Seizures

Authorities in Washington, D.C., have declined to disclose how many firearms are seized solely for simple possession offenses, despite public records requests. The lack of transparency has drawn scrutiny from policy analysts examining enforcement patterns in the nation’s capital.
The Reload, D.C.

Maryland Sensitive Places Law Upheld

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the majority of Maryland’s restrictions banning firearms in designated “sensitive places,” including schools and government buildings. The court struck down limited portions of the statute but left most location-based prohibitions intact under Bruen’s historical analysis test.
Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Maryland

South Dakota Lawmakers Continue Debate Over Gun Legislation

The South Dakota House Education Committee voted down two bills that would have expanded firearms access in schools, concluding that existing state law already protects Second Amendment rights and supports school safety. One proposal addressed firearm policies at public colleges, while the other sought to broaden the number of K-12 school employees eligible to carry firearms on campus.
The Dakota Scout, South Dakota

West Virginia Advances Constitutional Carry

On Feb. 17, the House passed HB 4106, which would allow constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, by a vote of 87-9. The bill now moves to the Senate. A companion bill, SB 30, passed five days prior in the Senate, 33-1, and now heads to the House.
West Virginia Watch, West Virginia

Ninth Circuit Upholds Portions of California Switchblade Ban

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld key portions of California’s longstanding ban on switchblade knives, rejecting a Second Amendment challenge. The court found that restrictions on certain bladed weapons are consistent with historical regulations, though parts of the law remain subject to continued litigation.
The Reload, California

Third Circuit Dismisses Challenge to New Jersey 3D-Printed Gun File Ban

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit dismissed a lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s ban on the distribution of digital files used to produce 3D-printed firearms. The court ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing, leaving the state’s restrictions in place.
The Reload, New Jersey

VA Ends Policy That Reported Some Veterans to NICS

The Department of Veterans Affairs ended a decades-old policy that automatically referred certain veterans with fiduciaries to the federal background check system, which barred them from firearm ownership. The change follows legal and political pressure arguing the prior practice violated due process protections.
The Reload, National

Minnesota Assault Weapons Ban Fails

In its first major vote following the Annunciation shooting, a Minnesota House committee declined to advance a proposal that would have banned so-called assault weapons. The measure failed to secure enough support to move forward in the legislative process.
KARE 11, Minnesota

Minnesota Gun Safety Package

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced a new gun safety package that includes proposals targeting illegal firearm transfers and expanding prevention efforts, urging bipartisan cooperation. The announcement comes amid renewed debate over firearm policy in the state legislature.
WDIO, Minnesota

January Gun Law Updates & Gun News

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down California Open-Carry Ban

A federal appeals court ruled that California’s prohibition on openly carrying firearms in counties with populations of over 200,000 is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The decision invalidates a statewide restriction affecting about 95% of the population.
Los Angeles Times, California

Silencer Sales Surge

Sales of firearm silencers, short-barrel rifles and short-barrel shotguns have increased sharply after the federal tax on these National Firearms Act (NFA) items was reduced from $200 to $0 at the start of 2026. The elimination of the longstanding tax appears to be boosting demand in an otherwise sluggish gun market.
The Reload

USPS Gun Mail Ban Is Unconstitutional

The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel has concluded that the nearly century-old federal ban on shipping handguns through the United States Postal Service is unconstitutional. If upheld, this shift could allow law-abiding gun owners to ship pistols via USPS for moves, repairs and other lawful purposes.
The Reload

Georgia Legislature Moves to Override Local Gun Ordinance

The Georgia Senate approved legislation that would block the enforcement of a Savannah ordinance imposing fines and possible jail time for leaving firearms in unlocked vehicles. Senate Bill 204 expands state firearms preemption to limit local regulation of gun storage and now heads to the Gov. Brian Kemp.
News Channel 9, Georgia

Florida House Passes Bill to Lower Firearm Purchase Age

The Florida House once more passed legislation aimed at lowering the minimum age to buy long guns from 21 to 18, rolling back a key post-Parkland reform. The proposal has repeatedly stalled in the Senate but remains under debate.
WPBF, Florida

Canada Launches Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program

The Canadian government opened a voluntary compensation program for owners of banned, so-called “assault-style” firearms, offering payments for declaring participation and removing such guns from circulation. Eligible firearms owners have until March 31, 2026, to participate.
Global News, Canada

Maryland Gun Ban in Public ‘Sensitive Places’ Upheld

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the majority of Maryland’s law banning guns in various public places such as schools, parks and government buildings, though it struck one provision prohibiting guns on private property open to the public. Gun rights groups are considering further appeals.
The Daily Record, Maryland

ATF Proposes Redefining ‘Unlawful Drug User’

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has proposed revisions to the federal definition of an “unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance” for purposes of firearm possession eligibility. The rule would aim to require evidence of regular, ongoing use rather than isolated incidents.
The Reload

Virginia Advances Bill to Ban ‘Assault Weapons’

Virginia House Democrats advanced HB2, a bill that would ban the sale of so-called “assault firearms” and the possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. The legislation passed a key committee on a party-line vote and now moves to the full House for consideration.
WRIC, Virginia