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The gun lobby won’t stop pushing its radical interpretation of the Second Amendment in the courts. But we have common sense and evidence on our side, and we’re not backing down.
Our litigation experts track gun safety cases moving through courts across the country to keep you up to date on the latest legal developments. Second Amendment Courtwatch is an in-depth resource on Second Amendment litigation, a fast-evolving area of constitutional law since the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions in NYSRPA v. Bruen in 2022 and in DC v. Heller in 2008.
Our regular updates highlight legal victories for the gun violence prevention movement and detail the gun lobby’s dangerous litigation in courts across the country. We break down the latest developments in key gun policy cases making their way through the courts, tracking the status and deadlines of major cases. Courtwatch is an invaluable tool for those interested in filing an amicus brief, getting involved in a gun safety case, or reporting on gun laws and the Second Amendment.
| Filed | Case | Circuit/State | Issue | Summary | Latest Developments | Giffords Resources & Briefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/3/2024 | Clemendor v. District of Columbia Dkt. No. 24-cv-1955 (D. D.C.) | DC Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to D.C.’s assault weapon ban | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 6/20/2024 | Lei v. City of Philadelphia Dkt. No. 24-cv-2716 (E.D. Pa.) | 3rd Circuit | Other Issues | Challenge to Philadelphia’s ban on bump stocks and auto sears. | Complaint and preliminary injunction motion filed, case pending. | |
| 6/20/2024 | Brown v. Paris Dkt. No. 24-cv-1015 (M.D. Pa.) | 3rd Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to Pennsylvania’s minimum age law | Complaint and temporary restraining order motion filed, case pending. | |
| 6/18/2024 | FPC v. Garland Dkt. No. 24-cv-565 (N.D. Tex.) | 5th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to federal law that prohibits carrying a firearm at the post office | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 6/18/2024 | Benton v. Platkin Dkt. No. 24-cv-7098 (D.N.J) | 3rd Circuit | Licensing & Registration | Challenge to New Jersey’s permit-to-purchase law | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 5/16/2024 | Neuberger v. Delaware Dep’t of Safety Dkt. No. 24-cv-590 (D. Del.) | 3rd Circuit | Licensing & Registration | Challenge to Delaware’s handgun permit-to-purchase law | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 5/15/2024 | Ortega v. Lujan Grisham Dkt. No. 24-cv-471 (D. N.M.) | 10th Circuit | Commercial Regulations | Challenge to New Mexico’s seven day waiting period law | Complaint and preliminary injunction motion filed, case pending. | |
| 4/11/2024 | Hoffman v. Bonta Dkt. No. 24-cv-664 (S.D. Cal.) | 9th Circuit | Non-citizens & Non-residents | Challenge to California’s law on nonresident carry | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 1/1/2024 | NAGR v. Polis Dkt. No. 24-cv-1 (D. Colo.) Dkt. No. 24-1209 (10th Cir.) | 10th Circuit | Ghost Guns | Challenge to Colorado’s ghost gun law | The district court denied challengers’ motion for a preliminary injunction, and the challengers appealed to the Tenth Circuit. Appeal pending. | |
| 12/19/2023 | Richards v. Newsom Dkt. No. 23-cv-2413 (C.D. Cal.) | 9th Circuit | Commercial Regulations | Challenge to SB 1384, California law requiring security and surveillance systems at firearms dealers | The district court denied plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, finding that plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed in their claim that the law violated the Second Amendment. The plaintiffs have since filed an amended complaint. Case pending. | |
| 12/18/2023 | Vt. Fed. of Sportsmen Clubs v. Birmingham Dkt. No. 23-cv-710 (D.Vt.) | 2nd Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Vermont’s LCM ban and Vermont’s 72 hour waiting period law | Complaint and preliminary injunction motion filed, case pending. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Vermont. |
| 11/9/2023 | United States v. Prince Dkt. No. 23-3155 (7th Cir.) | 7th Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies. | The district court granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss, finding the federal prohibitor on possession by those convicted of felonies to be facially unconstitutional. Appeal pending before the Seventh Circuit. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of the government. |
| 9/26/2023 | Carralero v. Bonta Dkt. No. 23-cv-1798 (C.D.Cal.) Dkt. No. 23-4354 (9th Cir.) | 9th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to SB2, California’s newly-enacted sensitive place law. | The district court enjoined provisions of the law and the Ninth Circuit denied an emergency motion to stay. Appeal pending before the Ninth Circuit, arguments held on 4/11/24. | |
| 9/12/2023 | May v. Bonta Dkt. No. 23-cv-01696 (C.D. Cal.) Dkt. No. 23-4356 (9th Cir.) | 9th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to SB2, California’s newly-enacted sensitive place law. | The district court enjoined provisions of the law and the Ninth Circuit denied an emergency motion to stay. Appeal pending before the Ninth Circuit, arguments held on 4/11/24. | |
| 9/9/2023 | We the Patriots, Inc. v. Grisham Dkt. No. 23-cv-00773 (D.N.M.) Dkt. No. 23-2166 (10th Cir.) | 10th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to New Mexico’s executive order restricting guns in parks and playgrounds. | The district court denied the challengers’ motion for a preliminary injunction, finding they were unlikely to show that the executive order violated the Second Amendment. Appeal pending before the Tenth Circuit, arguments scheduled for 9/25/24. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of New Mexico. |
| 8/31/2023 | White v. Cox Dkt. No. 23-cv-12031 (D. Mass.) | 1st Circuit | Licensing & Registration | Challenge to alleged gun license delays in Boston. | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 8/14/2023 | National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Raoul Dkt. No. 23-cv-2791 (S.D. Ill.) | 7th Circuit | Other Issues | Challenge to Illinois’ Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. | Complaint and preliminary injunction motion filed, case pending. | Giffords has additional information on gun industry immunity and state victim’s access to justice laws. View policy page. |
| 7/28/2023 | Gallagher v. DM Dkt. No. N.Y. 2023-05873 (App. Div. 2nd Dept.) | New York | Other Issues | Challenge to New York’s extreme risk protection order law. | Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of New York. |
| 7/28/2023 | RM v. CM Dkt. No. N.Y. 2023-05418 (App. Div. 2nd Dept.) | New York | Other Issues | Challenge to New York’s extreme risk protection order law. | Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of New York. |
| 7/28/2023 | JK v. JH Dkt. No. N.Y. 23-01059 (App. Div. 4th Dept.) | New York | Other Issues | Challenge to New York’s extreme risk protection order law. | Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of New York. |
| 7/12/2023 | National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Lopez Dkt. No. 23-cv-287 (D. Hawaii) | 9th Circuit | Other Issues | Challenge to Hawaii’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. | The district court denied plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, finding that plaintiffs did not have standing to bring their claims. The parties subsequently entered into a stipulation of dismissal without prejudice. | Giffords has additional information on gun industry immunity and state victim’s access to justice laws. View policy page. |
| 6/23/2023 | Wolford v. Lopez Dkt. No. 23-cv-265 (D. Hawaii); Dkt. No. 23-16164 (9th Cir.) | 9th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to SB1230, Hawaii’s newly enacted sensitive place law. | The district court granted in part challenger’s motion for a temporary restraining order, enjoining enforcement of some of the law’s provisions. The state appealed to the Ninth Circuit and argument was held on 4/11/24. | |
| 6/8/2023 | National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Ferguson Dkt. No. 23-cv-00113 (E.D. Wash.) | 9th Circuit | Other Issues | Challenge to Washington’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. | The district court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss, finding plaintiffs did not have standing to bring their claims. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and Everytown filed an amicus brief in support of Washington. |
| 5/23/2023 | National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Bonta Dkt. No. 23-cv-945 (S.D.Cal.) | 9th Circuit | Other Issues | Challenge to California’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. | On 2/21/24, the district court granted a preliminary injunction enjoining one provision of the law. The state moved for modification of the injunction and the district court has taken the motion under advisement. Case pending. | Giffords has additional information on gun industry immunity and state victim’s access to justice laws. View policy page. |
| 5/16/2023 | Novotny v. Moore, Dkt. No. 23-cv-1293 (D.Md.) | 4th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to SB1, Maryland’s Bruen response law. | The parties have moved for summary judgment. Case pending. | |
| 5/12/2023 | Mcrorey v. Garland Dkt. No. 23-cv-47 (N.D.Tex.); Dkt. No. 23-10837 (5th Cir.) | 5th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act enhanced background check requirement for 18-20 year olds. | The district court upheld the federal law. On appeal, the Fifth CIrcuit also upheld the law, finding that background check requirements do not facially violate the Second Amendment. | |
| 5/1/2023 | Richards v. Bonta Dkt. No. 23-cv-00793 (S.D. Cal.) | 9th Circuit | Licensing & Registration | Challenge to California’s 10 day waiting period. | Complaint filed, case pending. | |
| 4/28/2023 | Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis Dkt. No. 23-cv-1077 (D. Colo.); Dkt. No. 23-1251 (10th Cir.) | 10th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to Colorado’s minimum age law. | The district court granted a preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of Colorado’s law. The state appealed to the Tenth Circuit, which heard argument on 5/14/24. | |
| 2/13/2023 | Georgia Second Amendment, Inc. v. Kemp Dkt. No. 23-cv-24 (N.D.Ga.); Dkt. No. 23-11913 (11th Cir.) | 11th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to Georgia’s minimum age law. | The district court upheld Georgia’s law and the challengers appealed to the 11th Circuit. The 11th Circuit has ordered the case held in abeyance pending resolution of NRA v. Bondi. | |
| 12/22/2022 | Koons v. Platkin, Dkt. No. 22-cv-7464 (D. N.J.); Dkt. No. 23-1900 (3d Cir.) | 3rd Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to New Jersey’s Bruen response law, including sensitive place provisions. | The district court enjoined some of the state’s sensitive place law. The state appealed to the Third Circuit, which held oral argument on 10/25/23. Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center filed an amicus brief in support of New Jersey. View amicus brief. |
| 11/18/2022 | Williams v. Mcfadden Dkt. No. 22-cv-630 (W.D.N.C.) | 4th Circuit | Licensing & Registration | Challenge to North Carolina’s mental health records check requirement for concealed carry permit application. | The district court denied challenger’s motion for preliminary injunction, finding it likely did not violate the Second Amendment. Challengers did not appeal, case is pending in the district court. | |
| 11/18/2022 | Oregon Firearms Federation v. Kotek Dkt. No. 22-cv-01815 (D. Or.); Dkt. No. 23-35540 (9th Cir.) | 9th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Oregon’s large capacity magazine ban. | The district court upheld Oregon’s law and challengers have now appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit stayed the proceedings pending resolution of Duncan v. Bonta. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Oregon in the district court. View amicus brief. |
| 9/29/2022 | Grant v. Lamont Dkt. No. 22-cv-1223 (D.Conn.); Dkt. No. 23-1344 (2nd Cir.) | 2nd Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Connecticut’s assault weapon ban. | The district court upheld Connecticut’s law and challengers have now appealed to the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the week of 9/9/24. | |
| 9/7/2022 | Capen v. Campbell Dkt. No. 22-cv-11431 (D.Mass.); Dkt. No. 24-1061 (1st Cir.) | 1st Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Massachusetts’ assault weapon and large-capacity magazine ban. | The district court upheld Massachusetts’ law and challengers have now appealed to the First Circuit. Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Massachusetts. |
| 9/7/2022 | Bevis v. City of Naperville Dkt. No. 22-cv-4775 (N.D.Ill.); Dkt. No. 23-1353 (7th Cir.) Dkt. No. 23-880 (U.S. Supreme Ct.) | 7th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to municipal assault weapon ban. | The district court denied plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion and upheld the city’s assault weapon ban. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of the preliminary injunction, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari. Case pending in district court. | Giffords Law Center has filed an amicus brief in support of the city. View amicus brief. |
| 9/6/2022 | NAGR v. Lamont Dkt. No. 22-cv-1118 (D.Conn.); Dkt. No. 23-1162 (2nd Cir.) | 2nd Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Connecticut’s large capacity magazine and assault weapon ban. | The district court upheld Connecticut’s law and challengers have now appealed to the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the week of 9/9/24. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Connecticut. |
| 8/1/2022 | Hanson v. District of Columbia Dkt. No. 22-cv-02256 (D.D.C.); Dkt. No. 23-7061 (D.C. Cir.) | DC Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to District of Columbia’s large capacity magazine ban. | The district court denied a preliminary injunction and upheld DC’s law. The challengers appealed to the DC Circuit, which held oral argument on 2/13/24. Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of the District of Columbia. View amicus brief. |
| 7/28/2022 | Gates v. Polis Dkt. No. 22-cv-1866 (D. Colo.) | 10th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Colorado’s large capacity magazine ban. | The parties have moved for summary judgment. Case pending. | |
| 7/20/2022 | Delaware State Sportsmen’s Ass’n v. Delaware Dept. of Safety Dkt. No. 22-cv-951 (D. Del.); Dkt. No. 23-1634 (3d Cir.) | 3rd Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Delaware’s large capacity magazine ban. | The district court upheld Delaware’s law and the challengers appealed to the Third Circuit. The Third Circuit heard oral argument on 3/11/24. Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Delaware. |
| 6/30/2022 | Cheeseman v. Platkin Dkt. No. 22-cv-4360 (D.N.J.) | 3rd Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to New Jersey’s large capacity magazine ban. | The parties have movedfor summary judgment. Case pending. | |
| 6/23/2022 | Ocean State Tactical LLC v. Rhode Island Dkt. No. 22-cv-246 (D.R.I); Dkt. No. 23-1072 (1st Cir.) Dkt. No. 23A1058 (U.S.) | 1st Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Rhode Island’s large capacity magazine ban. | The district court upheld Rhode Island’s law and the challengers appealed. The First Circuit upheld the district court’s denial of challengers’ preliminary injunction. The challengers have received an extension for the deadline for filing a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Rhode Island. |
| 6/3/2022 | Sullivan v. Ferguson Dkt. No. 22-cv-05403 (W.D. Wa.) | 9th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Washington’s large capacity magazine ban. | The parties moved for summary judgment. The court granted a motion to stay the case pending resolution of the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Duncan v. Bonta. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Washington. |
| 6/1/2022 | Fraser v. ATF Dkt. No. 22-cv-410 (E.D.Va.); Dkt. No. 23-2085 (4th Cir.) | 4th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to federal laws that prohibit 18-20 year olds from purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers. | The district court granted a nationwide injunction enjoining enforcement of these federal laws, but stayed its order pending the government’s appeal. The Fourth Circuit has held the case in abeyance pending resolution of three en banc Second Amendment cases by the Fourth Circuit. | Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of the federal government. |
| 10/27/2021 | Rigby v. Jennings Dkt. No. 21-cv-1523 (D. Del.) | 3rd Circuit | Ghost Guns | Challenge to Delaware’s ghost gun laws. | The court granted in part and denied in part challenger’s preliminary injunction motion. The parties have moved for summary judgment. Case pending. | |
| 8/27/2021 | Viramontes v. Cook County Dkt. No. 21-cv-4595 (N.D.Ill.) Dkt. No. 24-1437 (7th Cir.) | 7th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Cook County, Illinois’ assault weapon ban. | The district court granted the county’s motion for summary judgment, finding the county’s assault weapon law did not violate the Second Amendment. The challengers have appealed to the Seventh Circuit. Appeal pending. | |
| 8/18/2021 | United States v. Harper Dkt. No. 21-cr-236 (M.D.Pa.) Dkt. No. 23-2604 (3d Cir.) | 3rd Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies. | The district court held that the federal law violated the Second Amendment as applied to defendant. The government has appealed. Appeal pending. | |
| 7/12/2021 | Maryland Shall Issue v. Montgomery County Dkt. No. 21-cv-1736 (D. Md.); Dkt. No. 23-1719 (4th Cir.) | 4th Circuit | Sensitive Places | Challenge to county’s sensitive place laws. | The district court upheld the county’s sensitive place laws. The challengers have appealed to the Fourth Circuit. The Fourth Circuit has placed the appeal in abeyane pending resolution of analogous state court proceedings. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of the county. |
| 6/23/2021 | United States v. Qualies Dkt. No. 21-cr-176 (M.D.Pa.) | 3rd Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies | The district court held that the federal law violated the Second Amendment as applied to defendant. | |
| 6/10/2021 | Palmer v. Lombardo Dkt. No. 21-cv-268 (D. Nev.); Dkt. No. 22-15645 (9th Cir.) | 9th Circuit | Ghost Guns | Challenge to Nevada’s ghost gun law | Before Bruen, the district court applied intermediate scrutiny and held that the law did not violate the Second Amendment. After the challengers appealed, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Bruen. The Ninth Circuit thereafter remanded the case for further proceedings in light of Bruen. Case pending. | |
| 6/7/2021 | Worth v. Jacobson Dkt. No. 21-cv-1348 (D. Minn.); Dkt. No. 23-2248 (8th Cir.) | 8th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to Minnesota’s minimum age law for handguns. | The district court struck down Minnesota’s law and the state appealed. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court’s ruling, agreeing that the law violated the Second Amendment. The state may seek additional review from the en banc Eighth Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Minnesota. |
| 2/25/2021 | United States v. Jackson Dkt. No. 21-cr-51 (D. Minn.); Dkt. No. 22-2870 (8th Cir.) Dkt. No. 23-6170 (U.S.) | 8th Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies | The district court upheld the federal law and the Eighth Circuit affirmed. A divided en banc court denied further review. The U.S. Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case for further proceedings in light of Rahimi. | |
| 1/15/2021 | United States v. Rahimi Dkt. No. 21-cr-83 (N.D. Tex.); Dkt. No. 21-11001 (5th Cir.) Dkt. No. 22-915 (U.S.) | 5th Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those subject to domestic violence restraining orders | The district court upheld the federal law and the Fifth Circuit initially affirmed. However, after Bruen, the Fifth Circuit withdrew its prior opinion and issued a new decision finding that the federal law violated the Second Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s petition for certiorari and held that the law did not facially violate the Second Amendment. | |
| 12/15/2020 | Vincent v. Garland Dkt. No. 20-cv-883 (D. Utah); Dkt. No. 21-4121 (10th Cir.) Dkt. No. 23-683 (U.S.) | 10th Circuit | Firearm Prohibitions | Challenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies. | The district court upheld the federal law and the Tenth Circuit affirmed. The U.S. Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case for further proceedings in light of Rahimi. | |
| 12/1/2020 | Bianchi v. Brown Dkt. No. 20-cv-3495 (D.Md.); Dkt. No. 21-1255 (4th Cir.) Dkt. No. 21-902 (U.S.) Dkt. No. 23-863 (U.S.) | 4th Circuit | Assault Weapons & Large Capacity Magazines | Challenge to Maryland’s assault weapon ban | The district court upheld Maryland’s law, and the Fourth Circuit affirmed. The U.S. Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case for further proceedings in light of Bruen. On remand, the Fourth Circuit ordered the case to be heard en banc, and the en banc court heard oral argument on 3/20/24. After the case was ordered to be heard en banc, the challengers filed a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment with the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Maryland. |
| 11/6/2020 | Reese v. ATF Dkt. No. 20-cv-1438 (W.D.La.); Dkt. No. 23-30033 (5th Cir.) | 5th Circuit | Minimum Age Laws | Challenge to federal laws prohibiting federally licensed dealers from selling handguns to 18-20 year olds. | The district court upheld the federal laws and the challengers appealed to the Fifth Circuit. The Fifth Circuit heard oral argument on 11/6/23. Appeal pending. | Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of the government. View amicus brief. |
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