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What: A Florida appeals court held in Eubanks v. State that Florida’s ban on public carry by peaceable 18-to-20-year-old adults violates the Second Amendment, citing FPC victories against age-based bans in multiple courts. Notably, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said that his office will not appeal the ruling.

Here’s What Happened at GOA Last Week! At GOA, we’ve been hard at work fighting for your Second Amendment rights, here’s what we did…

From defeating the ATF’s “Engaged in the Business” rule in federal court, to winning a Supreme Court case regarding gun owners who use marijuana, and exposing the injustice of a failure in Texas law that ended with a gun owner arrested — GOA has been busy.

You deserve an update.

Recently,

Gun Owners of America defeated ATF’s tyrannical “Engaged in the Business” rule, where a federal judge vacated the rule in its entirety.

Gun owners nationwide can breathe a sigh of relief that the rule is now dead. 

***

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 last week that the federal government cannot prosecute someone solely because they use marijuana while owning a firearm.  

This is a massive win for gun rights, and a huge rebuke to the federal government, who attempted to preserve their ability to prosecute otherwise law-abiding gun owners who use marijuana.

***

And finally, we worked last week to highlight a case out of Texas where a gun owner — who happens to be NBA player James Harden — was arrested over a technicality in Texas law, having a handgun outside a holster while in a vehicle.

Even in “pro-gun” states like Texas, where constitutional carry is the law of the land, ridiculous gun control laws like these jail gun owners unjustifiably and often.

We’re demanding that Texas abolish this unconstitutional law.

GOA’s legal team won a major victory recently against the ATF & DOJ in our case GOA & Texas v. ATF.

This case was a challenge to the Biden-era “Engaged in the Business” rule, which essentially criminalized private sales of firearms, requiring sellers to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and run a background check before doing so.

In reality, the true plan behind this rule was to create a universal background check system without any act of congress. Instead, ATF would simply arrest those who did not comply.

Combine this with the fact that prior, the Biden Administration mandated that all background check forms be held by ATF indefinitely, further growing ATF’s illegal registry of guns and gun owners.

When the rule was released, GOA along with the Attorney Generals of 4 states, sued the ATF over the enforcement of this blatantly unconstitutional rule.

Recently, a federal judge agreed with us, vacating the rule and declaring that the ATF may not apply the final rule to anyone — including individuals and organizations that are not parties in our case.

Although we are celebrating the win in this rule being vacated, ATF still maintains an illegal registry. 

We’re working to dismantle this registry with the help of Congress, and we won’t let up until ATF’s illegal registry is completely abolished.

In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot automatically strip someone of their Second Amendment rights just because they regularly use a controlled substance like marijuana, without any evidence that they are actually dangerous. 

GOA’s amicus brief in United States v. Hemani argued that the government handpicked the most unsympathetic plaintiff possible, with alleged connections to foreign terror groups. 

We asked SCOTUS to look past the plaintiff and evaluate the issue at hand, the blanket ban on firearm ownership by those who unlawfully use controlled substances. The court seems to have done just that.

Even though the ruling is narrow, this is a win for gun rights. It also opens opportunities for challenging other gun control laws, specifically on the state level.

Some of the most anti-gun states specifically use their liberal marijuana laws against those who want to use this drug — which has legitimate medical uses — and also enjoy their Second Amendment right.  

And in Texas, a “pro-gun” constitutional carry state, we watched as NBA star James Harden got arrested and charged because his legally owned handgun was sitting in the cup holder of his car instead of in a government-approved holster.

He wasn’t accused of threatening anyone, firing a shot, or committing any violent crime, yet the system treated the mere presence of a visible handgun as a criminal offense.

If an internationally known NBA player can be arrested, with conditions banning him from possessing firearms while his case winds through court, imagine how an ordinary gun owner would be treated in this exact same situation.

Our rights are not subject to holster mandates, visibility rules, or anything else for that matter.

That’s why we’re calling on Texas lawmakers to abolish this law, so a situation like this never happens again.

Texas legislators would do well to remember, the Second Amendment is a right, not a privilege.

And finally, GOA’s annual convention, GOALS, is on the horizon.

The Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit is being held this year on August 1st & 2nd in Des Moines, IA.

Come out and see your favorite manufacturers, handle all sorts of new products and hear from the top voices in the Second Amendment community.

Explore over 150,000 square feet of guns and gear, with over 200+ of the biggest brands in the firearms industry all showcasing the latest and greatest.

And with fantastic speakers like Brett Cooper, Lena Miculek, Ken Paxton, Brandon Herrera, John Lovell, and more!

The best part? It’s FREE for GOA members.

Don’t miss out! Register here.

That’s all for now, but just know that we’ll be working hard to protect and restore the Second Amendment.

Keep an eye out for more updates from GOA in your inbox, coming soon.

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed its opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Reese v. ATF, challenging the district court’s denial of complete relief after FPC prevailed against the federal age-based handgun and ammunition purchase ban.

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a reply in support of its motion for summary judgment in Morris v. Savannah, its lawsuit challenging a City of Savannah, Georgia firearm storage ordinance that is patently unlawful under the State’s comprehensive firearm preemption law.

What: The United States Supreme Court today issued a decision in United States v. Hemani, unanimously holding that the federal ban on gun possession by “unlawful” users of controlled substances (such as marijuana) violates the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment as applied to Mr. Hemani.

GOA and GOF Petition the Virginia Supreme Court for a Preliminary Ruling on Virginia’s Looming “Assault Firearms” Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2026

Springfield, VA — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and 2A journalist John Crump, have petitioned the Virginia Supreme Court for an urgent ruling in their lawsuit challenging Virginia’s upcoming ban on “assault firearms” and “large capacity ammunition feeding devices.”  The petition requests that a decision be made on the plaintiffs’ pending motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in advance of the ban’s July 1, 2026 effective date.

This petition to Virginia’s high court comes one month after GOA’s coalition of plaintiffs filed suit in the Circuit Court for Lancaster County, in Crump v. Katz.  Within days of challenging Virginia’s unconstitutional ban on commonly owned firearms and magazines, the Crump plaintiffs filed their currently pending motion to preliminarily block enforcement of the ban for the duration of their lawsuit.

However, in a disappointing move by the Lancaster court, the court indefinitely paused the Crump plaintiffs’ challenge by staying the case – taking a hearing on the Crump plaintiffs’ motion off its calendar – because the state government has filed a request to have the Crump case consolidated with other legal challenges to the ban that have been filed in other Virginia counties.

Of course, constitutional rights cannot wait.  That is why GOA and the Crump plaintiffs have petitioned the Virginia Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the Lancaster court to decide their motion on an emergency basis.  In the alternative, the Crump plaintiffs request that the Virginia Supreme Court preliminarily enjoin enforcement of the gun ban itself.

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

“The Article I, Section 13 rights of Virginians to keep and bear arms are at stake.  GOA and GOF will not sit idly by as those rights are attacked from Richmond.  We hope that today’s petition to the Virginia Supreme Court will expedite a ruling on our motion for preliminary injunction, and that Virginians will remain free to purchase and carry popular firearms and magazines come July 1.”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews.  Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise.  GOA represents over two million members and activists.  For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

-GOA-

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed its opening brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Ziegenfuss v. Martin, challenging Texas's carry bans in numerous ordinary public places following the district court’s misguided opinion upholding the bans.

Here’s What Happened at GOA This Week!

At GOA, we’ve been hard at work fighting for your Second Amendment rights, here’s what we did…

We at Gun Owners of America have been hard at work fighting for your rights this week.

From Hosting National Women’s Range Day in New Hampshire, to highlighting our work defining the legal interpretation of the Second Amendment through Amicus Briefs, and working to raise awareness on the failure of the NICS system — GOA has been busy.

You deserve an update.

GOA’s Law & Ammo show, which focuses on educating viewers about GOA’s actions in the courts, recently highlighted our impact on Second Amendment legal policy through highly effective amicus briefs.

The segment breaks down how GOA, for years, has strategically filed amicus briefs in key cases across the country, ensuring that judges hear strong, constitutionally grounded arguments in defense of the right to keep and bear arms.

These briefs play a critical role in shaping legal outcomes, often providing courts with historical context, legal precedent, and policy analysis that might otherwise be overlooked.

In fact, GOA’s amicus briefs have shaped the legal framework for the Second Amendment—and one of our briefs even gave rise to the now famous “text, history and tradition” test which courts are now using to strike down gun control laws from coast-to-coast.

The video underscores how GOA’s legal strategy is not reactive, but proactive, aimed at building long-term protections for gun owners nationwide.

We also worked this week to bring attention to the serious and ongoing failures of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

GOA’s Minuteman Moment show highlighted a case out of Florida, where a law-abiding gun owner was wrongfully jailed for two weeks due to a failure of the NICS system.

Originally reported by Ammoland News, this incident proves that when NICS fails, it’s law-abiding gun owners who pay the price.

The Minuteman Moment episode exposes how often the NICS system flags false-positives, and how that data is underreported by the FBI and other “official” sources.

Because if the public knew how bad NICS actually was, they wouldn’t support it. 

This is why GOA maintains that the NICS system is flawed, unconstitutional, and must be abolished.

And we’re working with our allies in Congress to do exactly that.

If you want to learn more, watch the full video here.

That’s all for this week, but just know that we’ll be working hard to protect and restore the Second Amendment.

Keep an eye out for more updates from GOA in your inbox, coming soon.

Finally, GOA’s Empowered 2A Program hosted National Women’s Range Day in New Hampshire, bringing together women of all backgrounds and skill levels for a day of shooting, activism training, and Second Amendment education.

Attendees received hands-on instruction from experienced trainers, allowing both new and seasoned shooters to build confidence and sharpen their skills.

For many women, the event marked their first time handling a firearm.

GOA & GOF are proud to provide experiences that help build real skills and reinforce the importance of the Second Amendment.

Beyond the range, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about their constitutional rights and the growing need for grassroots activism.

GOA’s team provided practical guidance on how to effectively communicate with lawmakers, stay informed on legislation, and take action to defend the Second Amendment in their own communities.

Events like National Women’s Range Day are an important part of GOA’s mission to empower individuals with both the knowledge and the tools necessary to protect their Second Amendment right.

Anti-gun lawmakers in Springfield are trying to move HB 4471, the so-called “Responsible Gun Manufacturing Act,” out of the House Rules Committee.

This bill isn’t about stopping violent criminals. It’s a backdoor ban aimed at common semiautomatic pistols, including many Glock-style handguns.

HB4471 originally sought to criminalize the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, import, or transfer of a so-called “convertible pistol.” It also attempted to classify certain pistols equipped with a switch as machine guns.

After amendments, the bill has been reworked into a civil enforcement scheme against Illinois dealers and manufacturers. Certified firearm dealers could be barred from selling, transferring, delivering, or even offering these pistols for sale, with penalties starting at $10,000 and increasing to $25,000 for a second violation, along with possible license revocation.

This would put law-abiding gun owners, dealers, and manufacturers at risk for ordinary handguns that anti-gun politicians decide are too easy to modify.

HB4471 already passed the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee as amended by a 9-5 vote before being re-referred to the House Rules Committee on May 31, 2026.

TAKE ACTION
 
Contact the House Rules Committee and urge them to OPPOSE HB 4471.

Tell them to stop targeting law-abiding gun owners, dealers, and manufacturers for the criminal misuse of already illegal conversion devices.

 

June 12, 2026 — FPC firmly believes that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) must be strengthened to robustly protect the constitutionally guaranteed rights of peaceable American gun owners and the critically important firearms ecosystem that serves them. Unfortunately, Senator John Cornyn’s SHOT Act (S. 4775)—in the form presented to FPC—badly misses the mark.