Pro-gun rights

PHILADELPHIA (December 11, 2025) – Today, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted full-court review in Firearms Policy Coalition’s (FPC) Koons v. Platkin challenge to New Jersey’s sweeping post-Bruen carry restrictions. This significant development ensures that the entire court will evaluate the state’s unconstitutional scheme under the proper historical and constitutional framework. The prior panel’s flawed decision—upholding key elements of the law—has been vacated, restoring the case to a posture where New Jersey’s unlawful policies can be fully and fairly scrutinized. FPC remains steadfast in pursuing meaningful relief for all who seek to exercise their right to bear arms in New Jersey and nationwide.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 26, 2025) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) today welcomed reports that the Trump Administration will establish a dedicated Second Amendment rights section within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice—an action that directly reflects FPC’s top executive-branch recommendation and a priority first proposed by FPC during the previous Trump Administration. The new office is expected to officially ramp up in early December.

Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation Declare DOJ Brief an Open Attack on the Second Amendment and the Constitution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2025

Springfield, VA — Late last night, the Department of Justice filed an outrageous brief that embraces an alarmingly expansive theory of federal authority. In responding to GOA and GOF’s “One, Big, Beautiful Lawsuit,” the DOJ treats Congress’ removal of the historic $200 tax as a pretext to rewrite the limits of congressional power, advancing an argument that would open the door to federal regulation far beyond anything the Framers intended.

GOA and GOF condemn Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) for doubling down on enforcement of an archaic and unconstitutional law while simultaneously offering legal theories that would expand federal power to historic levels. This is especially striking from an administration that had promised to respect the Second Amendment and review burdensome agency rules.

The implications of DOJ’s stance are immediate and ominous. If the brief’s logic is accepted, courts could bless a framework under which Congress and federal agencies regulate—or effectively ban—common firearms and accessories by treating formalistic features (like a $0 tax) as sufficient legal cover. That outcome would run contrary to recent Supreme Court statements that the Second Amendment protects private arms possession.

GOA and our partners are demanding the Department of Justice to publicly explain and retract all portions of the brief that advance a limitless theory of federal power. We are also calling on members of Congress who claim fidelity to constitutional limits to demand the DOJ abandon this dangerous theory. The coalition that GOA and GOF have created will vigorously press our case in court and before the public, as we will not allow this administration to normalize a theory of unlimited and unchecked federal power that threatens the right to keep and bear arms.

GOA, GOF, Palmetto State Armory, the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, Silencer Shop, and B & T USA brought this challenge to vindicate the Second Amendment and end the continued enforcement of an antiquated regulatory scheme. Our original lawsuit was joined by a coalition of 15 states including Texas, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement:

“This brief is federal overreach on steroids. If courts accept the government’s argument, Congress could claim the power to regulate virtually anything, including firearms, on the thinnest of statutory pretexts. That’s not conservative jurisprudence. This is authoritarianism cloaked in legalese. Make no mistake, this reads exactly like something the Biden administration would have produced.”

John Velleco, Executive Vice President of Gun Owners Foundation, issued the following statement:

“We weren’t exactly optimistic about the Department of Justice’s reply in our One, Big, Beautiful Lawsuit, but the brief they filed was far worse than anything we anticipated. We had hoped Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Trump Administration would seize this moment to become the most pro–Second Amendment presidency in history, but so far they’ve fumbled the ball. We will continue to fight to gut the National Firearms Act, and we’re confident our legal arguments will stand.”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

-GOA-

GOA’s Aidan Johnston (left) discussed plans to bring concealed carry reciprocity to the House floor with Speaker Mike Johnson.

Right now, your Second Amendment rights are under siege in anti-gun states across America. But you have a powerful opportunity to fight back by supporting H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

H.R. 38 would finally ensure that your concealed carry permit is honored in every state across the country, just like your ability to drive a car. No more worrying about crossing state lines and becoming a felon simply for exercising your right to self-defense.

But the gun control lobby is fighting tooth and nail to kill this common-sense bill. They want to leave law-abiding gun owners like you vulnerable to anti-gun politicians and bureaucrats.

That’s why we need you to act right now.

Sign the letter urging your Members of Congress to support and co-sponsor H.R. 38!

Every signature makes our voice louder, and Congress cannot ignore a tidal wave of patriotic Americans demanding action.

Your rights don’t end at the state line. Stand with GOA, and let’s make Constitutional Carry reciprocity the law of the land.

GOA filed the One, Big, Beautiful Lawsuit to tear down the unconstitutional NFA registration regime. The Department of Justice is being forced to defend this law in court, and they must respond to us by November 20th.

This is history in the making. Now that Congress eliminated the NFA’s $200 tax, the so-called “constitutional” foundation for this gun control monstrosity is gone. The federal government has NOTHING left to stand on except its own bureaucratic power grab. And GOA is ready to tear it down, for good.

But this fight will NOT be cheap. Our legal team urgently needs your backing to continue moving forward. Filing this lawsuit, battling the DOJ, and seeing it through to victory will cost at least $500,000.

Will you chip in $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can NOW to gut the NFA’s registration requirements?

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Erich. For 91 years, the NFA has trampled your rights. Weak-kneed Senators in Congress dropped the tax, but refused to fire the Parliamentarian and left the registration regime in place.

GOA is doing what they wouldn’t: cracking the NFA wide open and fighting to erase its unconstitutional registration mandates, forever.

Time is running out. Our lawsuit is filed. The DOJ’s deadline is set – and the district judge has ordered the agency to reply to our legal brief by this Thursday. So the only thing left is for YOU to help us finish the fight.

Let’s show Washington that “shall not be infringed” means exactly what it says. Rush your support today. Help GOA destroy the NFA for good!