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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

FiledCaseCircuit/StateIssueSummaryLatest DevelopmentsGiffords Resources & Briefs
12/19/2023Richards v. Newsom
Dkt. No. 23-cv-2413
(C.D. Cal.)
9th CircuitCommercial RegulationsChallenge to SB 1384, California law requiring security and surveillance systems at firearms dealersThe district court denied plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion, finding that plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed in their claim that the law violated the Second Amendment. Case pending.
12/18/2023Vt. Fed. of Sportsmen Clubs v. Birmingham
Dkt. No. 23-cv-710
(D.Vt.)
2nd CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Vermont’s LCM ban and Vermont’s 72 hour waiting period lawComplaint and preliminary injunction motion filed, case pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March For Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Vermont.
9/26/2023Carralero v. Bonta
Dkt. No. 23-cv-1798
(C.D.Cal.)
Dkt. No. 23-4354
(9th Cir.)
9th CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge 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 scheduled for 4/11/24.
9/12/2023May v. Bonta
Dkt. No. 23-cv-01696
(C.D. Cal.)
Dkt. No. 23-4356
(9th Cir.)
9th CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge 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 scheduled for 4/11/24.
8/31/2023White v. Cox
Dkt. No. 23-cv-12031
(D. Mass.)
1st CircuitLicensing & RegistrationChallenge to alleged gun license delays in Boston.Complaint filed, case pending.
8/14/2023National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Raoul
Dkt. No. 23-cv-2791
(S.D. Ill.)
7th CircuitOther IssuesChallenge 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.
7/28/2023Gallagher v. DM
Dkt. No. N.Y. 2023-05873
(App. Div. 2nd Dept.)
New YorkOther IssuesChallenge 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.
7/28/2023RM v. CM
Dkt. No. N.Y. 2023-05418
(App. Div. 2nd Dept.)
New YorkOther IssuesChallenge 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.
7/28/2023JK v. JH
Dkt. No. N.Y. 23-01059
(App. Div. 4th Dept.)
New YorkOther IssuesChallenge 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.
7/12/2023National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Lopez
Dkt. No. 23-cv-287
(D. Hawaii)
9th CircuitOther IssuesChallenge to Hawaii’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act.Complaint filed, case pending.Giffords has additional information on gun industry immunity and state victim’s access to justice laws. View policy page.
6/23/2023Wolford v. Lopez
Dkt. No. 23-cv-265
(D. Hawaii);
Dkt. No. 23-16164
(9th Cir.)
9th CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge 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 has appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit. Appeal pending.
6/8/2023National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Ferguson
Dkt. No. 23-cv-00113
(E.D. Wash.)
9th CircuitOther IssuesChallenge to Washington’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act.The district court has heard argument on challenger’s motion for a preliminary injunction and the state’s motion to dismiss. Case pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and Everytown filed an amicus brief in support of Washington.
5/23/2023National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Bonta
Dkt. No. 23-cv-945
(S.D.Cal.)
9th CircuitOther IssuesChallenge to California’s Firearm Industry Responsibility Act.On 2/21/24, the district court granted a preliminary injunction enjoining one provision of the law. Case pending.Giffords has additional information on gun industry immunity and state victim’s access to justice laws. View policy page.
5/16/2023Novotny v. Moore,
Dkt. No. 23-cv-1293
(D.Md.)
4th CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge to SB1, Maryland’s Bruen response law.The parties have moved for summary judgment. Case pending.
5/12/2023Mcrorey v. Garland
Dkt. No. 23-cv-47
(N.D.Tex.);
Dkt. No. 23-10837
(5th Cir.)
5th CircuitMinimum Age LawsChallenge to federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act enhanced background check requirement for 18-20 year olds.The district court upheld the federal law and the challengers have appealed to the Fifth Circuit. Appeal pending.
5/1/2023Richards v. Bonta
Dkt. No. 23-cv-00793
(S.D. Cal.)
9th CircuitLicensing & RegistrationChallenge to California’s 10 day waiting period.Complaint filed, case pending.
4/28/2023Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis
Dkt. No. 23-cv-1077
(D. Colo.);
Dkt. No. 23-1251
(10th Cir.)
10th CircuitMinimum Age LawsChallenge to Colorado’s minimum age law.The district court granted a preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of Colorado’s law. The state has since appealed to the Tenth Circuit. The parties are filing their opening briefs. Appeal pending.
2/13/2023Georgia Second Amendment, Inc. v. Kemp
Dkt. No. 23-cv-24
(N.D.Ga.);
Dkt. No. 23-11913
(11th Cir.)
11th CircuitMinimum Age LawsChallenge to Georgia’s minimum age law.The district court upheld Georgia’s law and the challengers appealed to the 11th Circuit. Appeal pending.
12/22/2022Koons v. Platkin,
Dkt. No. 22-cv-7464
(D. N.J.);
Dkt. No. 23-1900
(3d Cir.)
3rd CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge to New Jersey’s Bruen response law, including sensitive place provisions.The district court enjoined some of the state’s sensitive place law, and the state appealed to the Third Circuit. Appeal pending.Giffords Law Center filed an amicus brief in support of New Jersey. View amicus brief.
11/18/2022Williams v. Mcfadden
Dkt. No. 22-cv-630
(W.D.N.C.)
4th CircuitLicensing & RegistrationChallenge 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.
11/18/2022Oregon Firearms Federation v. Kotek
Dkt. No. 22-cv-01815
(D. Or.);
Dkt. No. 23-35540
(9th Cir.)
9th CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Oregon’s large capacity magazine ban.The district court upheld Oregon’s law and challengers have now appealed to the Ninth Circuit. Appeal pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives filed an amicus brief in support of Oregon in the district court. View amicus brief.
9/29/2022Grant v. Lamont
Dkt. No. 22-cv-1223
(D.Conn.);
Dkt. No. 23-1344
(2nd Cir.)
2nd CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Connecticut’s assault weapon ban.The district court upheld Connecticut’s law and challengers have now appealed to the Second Circuit. Case pending.
9/7/2022Bevis 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 CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to municipal assault weapon ban.The district court upheld the city’s assault weapon ban, and the Seventh Circuit affirmed. Petition for certiorari filed in U.S. Supreme Court, petition pending.Giffords Law Center has filed an amicus brief in support of the city. View amicus brief.
9/6/2022NAGR v. Lamont
Dkt. No. 22-cv-1118
(D.Conn.);
Dkt. No. 23-1162
(2nd Cir.)
2nd CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge 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. Case pending.Giffords Law Center has filed an amicus brief in support of Connecticut.
8/1/2022Hanson v. District of Columbia
Dkt. No. 22-cv-02256
(D.D.C.);
Dkt. No. 23-7061
(D.C. Cir.)
DC CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge 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. 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.
7/28/2022Gates v. Polis
Dkt. No. 22-cv-1866
(D. Colo.)
10th CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Colorado’s large capacity magazine ban.Complaint filed, case pending.
7/20/2022Delaware State Sportsmen’s Ass’n v. Delaware Dept. of Safety
Dkt. No. 22-cv-951
(D. Del.);
Dkt. No. 23-1634
(3d Cir.)
3rd CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Delaware’s large capacity magazine ban.The district court upheld Delaware’s law and the challengers appealed to the Third Circuit. Appeal pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Delaware.
6/30/2022Cheeseman v. Platkin
Dkt. No. 22-cv-4360
(D.N.J.)
3rd CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to New Jersey’s large capacity magazine ban.Parties will cross-move for summary judgment, with briefing completed by December 2023. Case pending.
6/23/2022Ocean State Tactical LLC v. Rhode Island
Dkt. No. 22-cv-246
(D.R.I);
Dkt. No. 23-10723
(1st Cir.)
1st CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Rhode Island’s large capacity magazine ban.The district court upheld Rhode Island’s law and the challengers appealed. The First Circuit heard oral arguments and the appeal is pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Rhode Island.
6/3/2022Sullivan v. Ferguson
Dkt. No. 22-cv-05403
(W.D. Wa.)
9th CircuitAssault Weapons & Large Capacity MagazinesChallenge to Washington’s large capacity magazine ban.The parties have move for summary judgment. Case pending.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Washington.
6/1/2022Fraser v. ATF
Dkt. No. 22-cv-410
(E.D.Va.);
Dkt. No. 23-2085
(4th Cir.)
4th CircuitMinimum Age LawsChallenge 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. Appeal pending.Giffords Law Center and Brady filed an amicus brief in support of the federal government.
10/27/2021Rigby v. Jennings
Dkt. No. 21-cv-1523
(D. Del.)
3rd CircuitGhost GunsChallenge to Delaware’s ghost gun laws.The court granted in part and denied in part challenger’s preliminary injunction motion. Case pending.
8/18/2021United States v. Harper
Dkt. No. 21-cr-236
(M.D.Pa.)
3rd CircuitFirearm ProhibitionsChallenge 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.
7/12/2021Maryland Shall Issue v. Montgomery County
Dkt. No. 21-cv-1736
(D. Md.);
Dkt. No. 23-1719
(4th Cir.)
4th CircuitSensitive PlacesChallenge 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.
6/23/2021United States v. Qualies
Dkt. No. 21-cr-176
(M.D.Pa.)
3rd CircuitFirearm ProhibitionsChallenge 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.
6/7/2021Worth v. Jacobson
Dkt. No. 21-cv-1348
(D. Minn.);
Dkt. No. 23-2248
(8th Cir.)
8th CircuitMinimum Age LawsChallenge to Minnesota’s minimum age law.The district court struck down Minnesota’s law and the state appealed. Appeal fully briefed before Eighth Circuit, awaiting oral argument.Giffords Law Center, Brady, and March for Our Lives has filed an amicus brief in support of Minnesota.
2/25/2021United States v. Jackson
Dkt. No. 21-cr-51
(D. Minn.);
Dkt. No. 22-2870
(8th Cir.)
8th CircuitFirearm ProhibitionsChallenge 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 defendant may seek further review from the Supreme Court.
12/15/2020Vincent v. Garland
Dkt. No. 20-cv-883
(D. Utah);
Dkt. No. 21-4121
(10th Cir.)
10th CircuitFirearm ProhibitionsChallenge to federal prohibition on possession by those convicted of felonies.The district court upheld the federal law and the Tenth Circuit affirmed. The challenger may seek further review from the en banc Tenth Circuit or the Supreme Court.

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