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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Firearms Policy Coalition strongly supports legislation to meaningfully strengthen the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Congress should act decisively to protect the People’s rights and the entire Second Amendment ecosystem against abusive litigation designed to impose gun control through financial destruction and lawfare.

See GOA’s list of pro-2A candidates before the upcoming August 18 primary

Gun Owners of America is proud to endorse the following candidates in Wyoming’s Republican primary on Tuesday, August 18, 2026:

**Click on any image above to download full size graphic for sharing**

To find your legislative district, click the button below; cross-reference your district with the list above to find your preferred candidate.

FIND YOUR DISTRICT

These candidates have demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting your God-given right to keep and bear arms.

Wyoming needs principled lawmakers who will defend the Second Amendment without apology, oppose unconstitutional gun control, and preserve the Cowboy State’s proud tradition of individual liberty.

Gun owners cannot afford to elect politicians who campaign as conservatives but abandon their promises once they arrive in Cheyenne.

We need dependable leaders who understand that the Second Amendment is not negotiable and who will stand firm against every attempt to weaken the rights of peaceable gun owners.

That is why GOA is asking gun owners across Wyoming to support our endorsed candidates in the Republican primary on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Please review the list above, make your plan to vote, and encourage your pro-gun family, friends, and neighbors to support these candidates on August 18.

Together, we can elect strong defenders of the Second Amendment and continue moving Wyoming toward greater freedom.

Paid for by Gun Owners of America. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

The "Open Fields Doctrine" is a judicially created exception to the U.S. Constitution's 4th Amendment which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures (or at least it should). Under the open fields exception, law enforcement could enter and search the "open fields" of private property without a warrant, consent, exigent circumstance, or other warrant exception. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading Landmark PA Supreme Court Opinion Rules Open Fields Doctrine Unconstitutional →

Gun Owners of America GOALS 2026 Giveaway

OFFERED ONLY TO LEGAL U.S. RESIDENTS,  WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO OWN A HANDGUN UNDER ALL APPLICABLE LAWS.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Open to U.S. residents, who are eligible to own a handgun under federal, state, and local laws, and who enter the GOALS 2026 Giveaway (“Giveaway”) as provided below. Employees of Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, and Gun Owners of California (“Sponsors”) and their immediate family members (spouses and siblings, children, and parents and their spouses) or members of the same households (related or not) are not eligible. Void where prohibited.

2. ENTRY: Register at the 2026 GOALS conference in Des Moines. Attendees are automatically entered into the Giveaway when checking in to the conference, the 2026 GOALS conference in Des Moines, Iowa August 1-2, 2026.

3. PROMOTION PERIOD: Begins at 2:00 PM Central Time (“CT”) on Friday, July 31, 2026 and ends at 4:00 PM CT on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Winner will be announced within 10 days after end of GOALS 2026. Limit one entry per person. Entrees must be received during the Promotion Period to be eligible to win a prize.

4. DETERMINATION OF WINNER: On or about August 2, 2026, representatives of the Sponsor will conduct a random drawing from among all eligible entries received to award a Grand Prize of a Canik Arms Handgun. Promotional graphics do not necessarily represent the actual prize.

5. TRANSFER OF FIREARM: Transfer of the prize will occur through a means and time selected by the sponsor in consultation with the winner. Sponsor will pay for reasonable shipping expenses. Sponsor is responsible for all taxes, transfer fees, FFL fees, and other expenses. Transfer shall be conducted through a Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer. All transfers will be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Persons entering this giveaway represent that they are not legally prohibited from owning or taking possession of firearms. If the transfer of the firearm to the winner is legally prohibited for any reason, another winner will be selected by another random drawing.

6. GENERAL: Odds of winning will be based on the number of eligible entries received. No cash redemption permitted. No prize substitution, in whole or in part, except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, safety, or security considerations, or any other reason as solely determined by Sponsor in which case a prize of comparable or greater value will be awarded.

By participating, entrants agree [a] to these rules and decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final in all respects relating to this Giveaway; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor and its agents from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Giveaway or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage; and if a winner, [c] to permit Sponsor to use his or her name, photograph, likeness, statements, and city and state for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in all media, including but not limited to on air and online, in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and agree to execute a document showing consent to such use upon request. Sponsor and its agents are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: [a] electronic, hardware or software program, network, internet, computer or other technical malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind, including without limitation, server malfunction or by any human error which may occur in the collection, processing and transmission of data; [b] lost, late, misdirected, illegible or incomplete entries or postage-due mail; [c] any type of graphical or other error in the advertising or printing of the Giveaway or in the administration of the Giveaway; or [d] any condition that may cause the administration, security or proper play of the Giveaway to be disrupted or corrupted; and in such event Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel or suspend the Giveaway or any portion thereof and to award the prize(s) via a random drawing from among all eligible entries legitimately received prior to cancellation. Entry information becomes property of Sponsor.

In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting an entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person to whom the email account is registered at the time of entry. Potential winner may be required to provide evidence that winner is the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the winning entry. Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding. In the event that the Sponsor is not able to contact the randomly chosen winner after due diligence (two emails and one telephone call, if telephone number provided) and a time period of 3 days from the date of the drawing, the Sponsor may draw a new winner and the first winner forfeits all claims to the prize and/or damages and holds Sponsor blameless. It is the responsibility of entrants to provide a valid email address or phone number so Sponsor can make contact.

7. WINNER LIST: To receive the name of the winner, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Gun Owners of America, 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 202, Springfield, VA 22151, before December 31, 2026.

8. SPONSOR: Gun Owners of America, 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 202, Springfield, VA 22151.

July 22, 2026 — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a new federal Second Amendment lawsuit challenging Louisiana's unconstitutional prohibition on issuing handgun carry permits to peaceable adults under 21. The case, Pool v. Hodges, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. FPC also filed a motion for summary judgment seeking a prompt final judgment against the unconstitutional ban.

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Bathras v. Moore, its lawsuit challenging Maryland's law banning semiautomatic handguns with a cruciform trigger bar, which includes nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market.

Gun Owners of America Sues U.S. Virgin Islands Over Unconstitutional Ban on Nonresident Right to Bear Arms  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 20, 2026 

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, USVI — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Virgin Islands’ prohibition on nonresidents exercising their Second Amendment rights. 

The lawsuit argues the USVI has created one of the nation’s most restrictive firearm licensing schemes by refusing to recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits while barring nonresidents from applying for a USVI carry license. 

The case builds on GOA’s successful litigation ending unconstitutional residency restrictions in California and New York. GOA previously secured legal victories allowing qualified nonresidents to apply for concealed carry permits in those states. 

The complaint states that after the Supreme Court’s decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, the USVI repealed its limited reciprocity law, leaving nonresidents with no lawful way to carry for self-defense. GOA argues the residency requirement violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments and asks the court to require the territory to accept applications from qualified nonresidents. 

The plaintiff in this case is a law-abiding American who holds a valid Florida Concealed Weapon License, is a Federal Firearms Licensee, and meets every qualification for a USVI carry license except residency. Despite planning to travel to St. Thomas, USVI law bars him from even applying. 

Luis Valdes, USVI Outreach Director for Gun Owners of America and National Co-Chair of Fuerza 2A, issued the following statement: 

“The Second Amendment doesn’t end at the shoreline. Americans don’t lose their constitutional rights simply because they travel to a U.S. territory. The USVI has created a system where law-abiding citizens are categorically denied the ability to exercise a fundamental constitutional right based solely on where they live. That’s not how constitutional rights work in America, and we’re asking the federal courts to put an end to this blatant violation.“ 

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-  

PHILADELPHIA (July 17, 2026) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) today announced a landmark victory after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, sitting en banc, held in FPC’s Cheeseman v. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport case that New Jersey's “assault firearm” ban on semi-automatic rifles violates the Second Amendment. The decision comes just weeks after the Supreme Court granted review in FPC’s Viramontes v. Cook County case, which challenges a similar ban in Illinois and has the potential to strike down these unconstitutional bans nationwide.

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that the Trump Department of Justice moved to voluntarily dismiss its appeal of FPC’s victory against the federal post office gun ban in FPC v. Blanche—formerly FPC v. Bondi. If the Fifth Circuit grants the unopposed motion, the district court’s permanent injunction will remain in place unchanged.

The Wyoming Primary Election is quickly approaching, and your vote will help determine who will defend your Second Amendment rights in the years ahead.

Gun Owners of America has completed our candidate evaluations and issued letter grades for a number of candidates across Wyoming based on their records, voting histories, responses to GOA’s candidate survey, and demonstrated commitment to protecting the right to keep and bear arms.

Before you head to the polls, we encourage you to review every candidate’s GOA grade.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WYOMING CANDIDATE GRADES

 

If you don’t see the candidate running in your district, it means they did not return our survey that was sent to their campaign address listed in the Wyoming Secretary of State report.

Don’t see your candidate? Consider contacting them to ask them why they didn’t respond. What you’ll find is that in most cases, candidates who refuse to respond to GOA’s survey are trying to hide their anti-gun positions.

These grades are designed to help gun owners make informed decisions at the ballot box.

GOA carefully evaluates candidates based on their support for the Second Amendment, not political party or campaign rhetoric.

With early voting underway and Election Day rapidly approaching, now is the time to make a plan to vote.

From repealing gun-free zones, to outlawing red flag policies, passing preemption, and passing the Second Amendment Protection Act, every election matters, and every pro-gun vote helps ensure Wyoming continues to elect legislators who will defend your constitutional freedoms.

Review GOA’s Wyoming Candidate Grades, then make your plan to vote in the Wyoming Primary Election on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Thank you for standing with Gun Owners of America in defense of the Second Amendment.

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an amicus brief with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the defendant in United States v. Machamer, in which Mr. Machamer is unconstitutionally charged for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle.

From the ATF issuing a new rule, strengthening the definition of “willfully” to protect FFLs and gun owners, to the Department of Justice fighting us on our lawsuit against the NFA’s registration requirements, and filing our latest lawsuit against the State of Pennsylvania… GOA has been busy.

You deserve an update.

Recently, the ATF issued a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking indicating they are redefining the term “willfully,” to better protect gun shops and FFLs from a future “zero tolerance” policy.

This change strengthens protections for dealers and gun owners alike, shielding them from the same weaponization that the Biden-era ATF used to shut down businesses en masse.

The rule is a step in the right direction, but it’s not perfect.

That’s why we’re asking GOA members to leave comments asking ATF to strengthen the rule further.

***

Next, the Department of Justice continues to fight us in our “Big Beautiful Lawsuit” against the registration requirements of the National Firearms Act.

While President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act reduced the $200 tax on certain NFA items to $0, the registration requirements on those items remain.

That’s why we’re suing. Oral arguments were just held in our case, and we’re excited to see what comes next.

Also, GOA & GOF announced recently that we’re suing the State of Pennsylvania!

Our case centers around denials of concealed carry permits to those convicted of misdemeanor drug charges.

In light of the Supreme Court’s decision in US v. Hemani, we’re confident that the founders intent was not to see otherwise law-abiding citizens deprived of their rights for small amounts of marijuana.

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

The event takes place in Des Moines, Iowa on August 1st – 2nd and is FREE for GOA members to attend!

Come out and enjoy over 150,000 square feet of guns, gear and hear from the top voices in the 2A community!

Register for GOALS here!

One of the worst Biden-era ATF rules was known as the “zero tolerance” policy.

This rule weaponized the federal code against firearms dealers, turning misspellings on paperwork into license revocations.

The rule was designed to shut down as many dealers as possible, limiting law-abiding Americans’ access to the Second Amendment.

Under Biden, license revocations increased over 500%, leading to the highest number of FFLs closing in two decades.

But thanks to a change at ATF under President Trump and ATF Director Robert Cekada, the zero tolerance policy has been rescinded.

Now, the ATF has proposed a rule which targets the foundational reason that Biden could create the zero tolerance rule in the first place:

The legal definition of “willfully.”

The proposed rule isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction, and we need to strengthen it.

That’s why we’re calling on all GOA members to make their voices heard and submit our model comment to ATF.

The Department of Justice continues to fight us in our case against the National Firearm Act’s registration requirements.

While President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act reduced the taxes on certain NFA regulated firearms to $0, the Senate Parliamentarian ensured that the registration requirements remained in place.

We’re suing to remove the registration requirements on these untaxed items.

But, the self proclaimed “most pro-gun Department of Justice in history” is fighting us tooth and nail to prevent this from happening.

The DOJ wants to keep the registration scheme in place, allowing ATF to continue to maintain a registry of these items—even without the registration being tied to a tax payment—which was the original intent of Congress.

Oral arguments were held in our One Big Beautiful Lawsuit this week, and I traveled to Texas alongside one of GOA’s attorneys, who did an outstanding job presenting our case before a federal judge.

Of course, the DOJ presented their arguments as well, using every trick in their book to keep this unconstitutional registry intact.

We’re excited to have this case move forward, and as always, we’ll keep you updated as it develops! 

GOA just filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania, challenging the state’s ban on issuing concealed carry licenses to anyone who’s been convicted under the state’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act!

Our lawsuit focuses on a specific part of the CSDDCA, where small non-violent offenses and misdemeanors under the act turn into complete bans on otherwise lawful Pennsylvanians to access their Second Amendment rights.

We at GOA know that the founders would not have wanted to deny Americans access to their Second Amendment rights over small a misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

And thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling in the case US v. Hemani, we’re confident that the Pennsylvania court will agree. 

(July 9, 2026) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) President Brandon Combs issued the following statement responding to the Seventh Circuit’s opinion in FPC’s Harrel v. Raoul lawsuit (consolidated with Barnett v. Raoul and others) challenging the Illinois Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA) bans on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity” magazines. The district court declared the bans unconstitutional following extensive briefing, presentation of evidence, and a trial, but the Seventh Circuit reversed that ruling today:

Gun Owners of America & Fuerza 2A Endorse Blaise Ingoglia for Florida Chief Financial Officer 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 9, 2026 

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Fuerza 2A proudly endorse Blaise Ingoglia for Florida Chief Financial Officer. 

Throughout his service in the Florida Legislature, Ingoglia has consistently stood with Florida’s law-abiding gun owners and fought to restore and expand the right to keep and bear arms. 

In 2018, Ingoglia voted against SB 7026, the sweeping Parkland gun control bill that created Florida’s Red Flag law, raised the firearm purchase age to 21, imposed waiting periods, and restricted the rights of law-abiding citizens. 

Ingoglia has also been a leading advocate for true Constitutional Carry, supporting legislation that fully restores the right to carry without a government-issued permit. He has consistently supported Gun Owners of America’s efforts to restore Open Carry in Florida, recognizing that the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms openly as well as concealed. 

In 2025, Ingoglia sponsored SB 952, legislation repealing Florida’s ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition during locally declared states of emergency. The bill followed Gun Owners of America’s successful fight against the City of Okeechobee after city officials attempted to prohibit firearm and ammunition sales during Hurricane Helene. Ingoglia’s legislation ensured that local governments can no longer use emergency powers to deny law-abiding Floridians access to the tools they need to defend themselves. 

Luis Valdes, Florida State Director of Gun Owners of America and National Co-Chair of Fuerza 2A, issued the following statement: 

“Blaise Ingoglia has repeatedly demonstrated that he is willing to stand with Florida’s gun owners when it matters most. He voted against the Parkland gun control bill, fought for true Constitutional Carry and Open Carry, and sponsored legislation to repeal Florida’s emergency gun sale ban after GOA exposed abuses by local government in Okeechobee. His record proves he is committed to defending and expanding the Second Amendment, and GOA and Fuerza 2A are proud to endorse him for Florida Chief Financial Officer.” 

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-  

Massachusetts gun owners are facing an unprecedented assault on their constitutional liberties under the draconian overreach of Chapter 135.

This unconstitutional legislation directly targets law-abiding citizens, creating an unnecessary and convoluted burden on anyone exercising their right to keep and bear arms.

To counter this blatant infringement and fully restore our Second Amendment rights, The Civil Rights Coalition is inviting you to a special event to help organize, mobilize, and fuel the grassroots resistance. Gun Owners of America will also be there!

The event will take place on Wednesday, July 15th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cape Gun Works, located at 96 Airport Rd in Hyannis.

This gathering is a crucial opportunity for Second Amendment advocates across the Commonwealth to unite under one roof, discuss the strategic path to fully repeal Chapter 135, and ensure that the voices of law-abiding gun owners cannot be silenced by anti-gun politicians.

There will also be an auction to raise money for this fight!

Defeating this sweeping legislative overreach requires the active support and resources of every dedicated patriot in the state.

To power this monumental ballot and legal campaign, attendees are encouraged to contribute to the fight, with suggested donation tiers of $50, $100, $250, and $500 to The Civil Rights Coalition. Please make every effort to attend, stand strong with fellow gun owners, and help us reclaim our stolen liberties!

For more info, visit The Civil Rights Coalition Events page here!

We hope to see you there!

The fight over Virginia’s unconstitutional gun and magazine bans is moving fast.

After GOA, GOF, VCDL, VCDF, and gun rights journalist John Crump secured a preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz, Attorney General Jay Jones ran to the Supreme Court of Virginia asking the Court to put those bans back in force.

GOA and our allies have now filed our opposition brief.

As our brief says:

“The only proper response to this madness is ‘no.’”

Jay Jones is asking Virginia’s highest court to let the Commonwealth enforce bans on some of the most commonly owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines in America.

We are asking the Court to preserve the status quo, protect Virginia gun owners, and reject the Commonwealth’s emergency attempt to undo our injunction.

Our brief reminds the Supreme Court of Virginia that this Commonwealth was central to the birth of American liberty. Patrick Henry declared that “the great object is, that every man be armed.” George Mason warned that disarming the people was the “best and most effectual way to enslave them.”

Yet today, Richmond politicians are trying to follow the path of tyrants by banning the acquisition, transfer, and carry of arms commonly owned by peaceable citizens; GOA will not let that go unanswered.

Our attorneys have been working tirelessly to defend gun rights in court, handling multiple cases throughout the US in a time where it counts most.

Please consider giving to GOA so that we can continue to push towards the restoration and protection of our natural rights to keep and bear arms.

CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LITIGATION FUND

There is also another major development.

A Virginia court has now expanded an injunction against the bans to apply statewide to law enforcement agencies and Commonwealth’s Attorneys across the Commonwealth, not just the Virginia State Police.

Now, with injunctions in place and our brief before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the pressure is on Jay Jones and the Commonwealth.

Virginia gun owners deserve to keep their rights while this case is fought.

We will keep you updated as the Supreme Court of Virginia considers the Commonwealth’s request.

The Biden Administration’s ATF “Zero Tolerance” policy was one of the most aggressive attacks on federally licensed firearms dealers in recent history.

This rule weaponized federal code against firearms dealers, turning misspellings on paperwork into license revocations. The goal was clear, force gun stores out of business and make it harder for law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Under Biden, license revocations increased over 500%, leading to the highest number of FFLs closing in two decades.

But thanks to a change at ATF under President Trump and ATF Director Robert Cekada, the zero tolerance policy has been rescinded. Now, the ATF has proposed a rule which targets the foundational reason that Biden could create the zero tolerance rule in the first place, the legal definition of “willfully.”

The proposed rule isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction, and we need to strengthen it. That’s why we’re calling on all GOA members to make their voices heard and submit our model comment to ATF.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Copy our model comment.

Step 2: Then, with our model comment copied, paste it into the federal register’s comment section and submit your comment to the ATF.

COPY PRE-WRITTEN COMMENT

PASTE & SUBMIT COMMENT

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Preview comment:

Re: Defining “Willfully” for Firearms Violations (RIN 1140–AA88)

I appreciate ATF’s proposal to restore a meaningful definition of “willfully” under the Gun Control Act. The prior “zero tolerance” approach effectively treated ordinary mistakes as willful violations, placing the livelihoods of law-abiding firearms dealers at risk and undermining Congress’s intent. As a law-abiding gun owner, I depend on local firearms dealers to exercise my constitutional rights. When unnecessary revocations force honest dealers out of business, law-abiding citizens lose access, competition declines, prices rise, and the exercise of a fundamental constitutional right becomes more difficult.

I agree with Gun Owners of America that the proposed rule properly recognizes that “willfully” should require actual knowledge that conduct is unlawful and an intentional decision to engage in that unlawful conduct. That standard is consistent with Supreme Court precedent and better reflects the protections Congress intended when it adopted the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act.

I respectfully urge ATF to strengthen the final rule in three important ways.

First, ATF should make clear that it must establish willfulness before initiating a license revocation proceeding. Revocation itself is extraordinarily costly, even when the dealer ultimately prevails. The process should not become the punishment. Requiring a genuine finding of willfulness before beginning revocation proceedings would help ensure that the abuses associated with the previous “zero tolerance” policy cannot return.

Second, ATF should reject any form of strict or vicarious liability that holds a federal firearms licensee responsible for every employee mistake. Congress adopted a willfulness requirement specifically to prevent licenses from being revoked over inadvertent errors. If an employee makes a mistake, the standard should focus on whether the licensee knowingly authorized, directed, or participated in unlawful conduct, not whether ATF later believes the dealer’s corrective actions were “appropriate.”

Finally, ATF should reconsider its economic analysis. The proposal significantly understates the financial burden imposed on dealers forced to defend against revocation proceedings. Legal costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and some businesses have lost their livelihoods despite acting in good faith. These real-world costs should be accurately reflected in the final rule.

I support ATF’s effort to adopt a consistent and meaningful definition of “willfully.” With these additional safeguards, the final rule will better protect law-abiding firearms dealers, respect congressional intent, and help ensure that enforcement is directed at intentional wrongdoing rather than honest mistakes.

GOA and GOF File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Lifetime Carry Ban for Citizens with Minor, Decades-Old Drug Misdemeanors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2026

Springfield, VA — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Craig Philips, an honorably discharged Air Force and Gulf War veteran, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s statutory lifetime denial of Licenses to Carry Firearms (LTCF) for individuals with minor, nonviolent drug convictions.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, targets 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109(e)(1)(ii). This provision permanently disqualifies anyone with any conviction under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (CSDDCA) from obtaining an LTCF, regardless of the nonviolent nature of the offense, the minor penalties involved, or how many decades have passed.

Plaintiff Craig Philips served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. More than thirty years ago, in 1994, he was convicted of a minor misdemeanor for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Since then, he has lived a stable, productive, and law-abiding life, and he remains fully eligible to purchase and own firearms under state and federal law. Yet, solely because of this 32-year-old minor misdemeanor, Pennsylvania permanently denies him his constitutional right to bear arms in public.

Crucially, the lawsuit highlights the Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision in United States v. Hemani (June 18, 2026) to demonstrate that the Commonwealth’s sweeping carry ban cannot survive constitutional scrutiny.

In Hemani, the Supreme Court struck down a drug-related federal firearm prohibition as unconstitutional. The high court noted that the Founders lived in a “culture of copious drinking” and never disarmed regular drinkers unless they were shown to be actively dangerous. The Court warned that giving the government “broad power to designate any group as dangerous and thereby disqualify its members from having a gun… would quickly swallow the Second Amendment.”

Together with the landmark Bruen framework, the Hemani decision places an insurmountable historical burden on Pennsylvania to justify stripping peaceable, otherwise eligible gun owners of their carry rights over decades-old, nonviolent conduct.

Dr. Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement:

“The Second Amendment guarantees peaceable citizens the right to bear arms for self-defense, and that right does not carry an expiration date. Pennsylvania’s lifetime ban on minor, non-violent drug possession convictions does not hold up to constitutional scrutiny.”

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

“Pennsylvania is treating a peaceable veteran like a second-class citizen over a minor marijuana misdemeanor from more than three decades ago. Craig Philips served this country honorably, obeyed the law for 32 years, and remains eligible to own firearms—yet the Commonwealth still says he can never exercise his right to carry. That is exactly the kind of government abuse the Second Amendment forbids, and GOA will not stand by while bureaucrats permanently strip Americans of their rights over decades-old, nonviolent conduct.”

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

“The Supreme Court has made clear that the government cannot simply label peaceable citizens as ‘dangerous’ and erase their Second Amendment rights. Pennsylvania’s lifetime carry ban is sweeping, automatic, and historically indefensible. Under Bruen and Hemani, the Commonwealth bears the burden of proving this kind of permanent disarmament is consistent with our nation’s historical tradition and it cannot meet that burden.”

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-

What: Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a petition for certiorari asking the Supreme Court of the United States to review Calce v. New York City, an FPC lawsuit challenging New York City's ban on electronic arms, including stun guns and tasers. The petition asks the Court to reaffirm that the Second Amendment protects all bearable arms—not just firearms—and to resolve confusion among lower courts over how bans on protected arms must be analyzed under Bruen. The petition explains that the Court could resolve the case through summary reversal—granting review and overturning the decision below without full briefing and oral argument—or, in the alternative, hold the case pending its decision in FPC’s recently granted Viramontes v. Cook County challenge to a ban on so-called “assault weapons,” which is expected to provide important guidance regarding the constitutional framework for evaluating bans on protected arms.

We have another important victory in the fight against Virginia’s unconstitutional gun and magazine bans.

A three-judge panel has denied the Commonwealth’s attempt to consolidate the lawsuits challenging Virginia’s new gun control laws.

That means Crump v. Katz, GOA and VCDL’s lawsuit against the so-called “assault firearm” and magazine bans, can continue in Lancaster County.

This matters.

Richmond tried to drag the various challenges into one consolidated proceeding, which would have disrupted the cases already moving forward in their own courts.

The panel rejected that effort.

In fact, the panel found that the Commonwealth failed to meet its burden and noted that courts have already ruled on preliminary injunctions in three of the four cases.

This is especially important because we already secured a preliminary injunction blocking the Virginia State Police from enforcing the challenged gun and magazine bans while our case continues.

Despite these positive developments, Attorney General Jay Jones is still trying to undo that victory before the Supreme Court of Virginia.

There’s still work to do, and there’s still ways you can help. Please consider contributing to our litigation fund, so that we can continue to fight in the courts.

At least 15 Commonwealth’s Attorneys have already refused to enforce these bans on constitutional grounds, and sheriffs across Virginia are also speaking out against Richmond’s attack on gun owners.

Every local official who refuses to enforce these laws makes it harder for Jay Jones and anti-gun politicians to threaten peaceable Virginians.

TAKE ACTION

Please contact your Commonwealth’s Attorney and Sheriff today.

Urge them to publicly oppose enforcement of Virginia’s unconstitutional gun and magazine bans.

Tell them to stand with the judge, stand with the Virginia Constitution, and stand with law-abiding gun owners.

FIND YOUR COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY FIND YOUR SHERIFF

Below is a pre-written letter that you can use:

Dear [Commonwealth’s Attorney’s name],

As a Virginia gun owner, I urge you to agree with the court’s ruling in Crump v. Katz and refuse to enforce Virginia’s unconstitutional gun and magazine bans against law-abiding citizens.

SB749 and SB727 target many commonly owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines that Virginians have lawfully owned, used, acquired, transferred, and carried for decades.

Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution is clear: “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The Lancaster Circuit Court has now issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Virginia State Police from enforcing the challenged statutes while the case continues.

I urge you to respect that ruling and publicly commit that your office will not prosecute peaceable Virginians under these unconstitutional laws.

Attorney General Jay Jones is trying to minimize the scope of the injunction by claiming it binds only the Virginia State Police. But pretending local prosecutors can carry on like nothing happened is reckless.

State law presumes officials obey constitutional rulings, and those who ignore them may lose qualified immunity and face personal liability.

Law-abiding gun owners should not be turned into criminals for exercising their constitutional rights.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This fight is moving quickly, but the momentum is on our side.

GOA and our allies will keep fighting in court and in Richmond until these unconstitutional bans are defeated for good.