Pro-gun rights

CHICAGO (June 17, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) praised the filing of an important “friend-of-the-court” brief by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in support of FPC’s lawsuit challenging the Illinois Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), which bans so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines”, all constitutionally protected arms. The DOJ brief urges the Seventh Circuit to uphold FPC’s victory at the district court and marks a critical step in fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to protect Americans’ fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

NEW ORLEANS (June 17, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has withdrawn the flawed 3-judge panel opinion in United States v. George Peterson, an FPC-backed criminal case challenging the federal government’s regulation of suppressors through unconstitutional registration and taxation requirements. 

GOA recently left a meeting with Sen. Steve Daines, and he told GOA this exciting news first…

He’s made sure that the Senate version of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” removes the excise taxes on:

 Suppressors 
 Short-barreled rifles 
 Short-barreled shotguns 
 Any Other Weapons (AOWs) 

This is a HUGE step in GOA’s fight to restore your Second Amendment rights and strikes a major blow to the draconian NFA! But as you know, the job is not finished yet.

Last month, the House took action and included language in H.R. 1, which removed the unlawful $200 tax stamp and suppressor registration requirement—although unfortunately, they will still be subject to NICS background checks.   

Regardless, while this is a great first step, it’s not enough. We need to remove the NFA taxes on short-barreled firearms, too.

And that’s why GOA has been fighting hard to get the Senate to fully repeal these NFA taxes, as well.

Can we count on your support? Please chip in $15, $25, $50, or any other amount you can support. GOA is on Capitol Hill fighting to protect OUR rights. This might be one of our last opportunities to repeal this provision.

We can’t forget — the Biden administration abused this tax to justify its unconstitutional pistol brace rule, targeting up to 40 million legally owned firearms and criminalizing gun owners overnight. 

Senate Republicans now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end this abuse permanently. Including the tax repeal on short-barreled firearms in the budget reconciliation bill would fulfill campaign promises and strike a blow against one of the most sweeping anti-gun infringements. 

This is our moment. We can gut the NFA. We can secure lasting protections for gun owners nationwide. But it won’t happen without your pressure. 

Please don’t wait. Time is of the essence.

Finally, please take a moment to add your name to our urgent petition urging Senators to repeal the NFA’s short-barrel tax restrictions, to protect suppressor owners once and for all.

P.S. Click here to see a video of my interview with Senator Steve Daines.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 17, 2025) — Today, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) called on the full United States Senate to support and pass the Finance Committee’s firearm law and tax reforms in the budget reconciliation package. These critically important reforms include the elimination of unconstitutional taxes, restrictions, and red tape on the lawful purchase and possession of popular, constitutionally protected firearms and firearm suppressors, making them more accessible to law-abiding Americans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2025) — Today, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) praised the Senate Finance Committee on its wise and courageous leadership in proposing a number of critically important and constitutionally required firearm law and tax reforms in the budget reconciliation package (at section 70436, “Elimination Of Tax On Certain Devices Under The National Firearms Act”).

GOA Secures Major Senate Victory: NFA Tax Repeal Advances in “One Big Beautiful Bill” 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 16, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) is celebrating a massive legislative victory as the Senate Finance Committee officially advanced language to fully repeal the unconstitutional excise taxes imposed under the National Firearms Act (NFA). 

Thanks to aggressive advocacy from GOA and mounting grassroots pressure, the Senate’s version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” now includes full repeal of the $200 NFA tax on: 

• Suppressors 

• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) 

• Short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) 

• “Any Other Weapons” (AOWs) 

This expands the House-passed repeal of the suppressor tax and represents one of the most significant advances for gun rights in decades. The bill next heads to the “Byrd Bath” review, where non-budgetary provisions may be stripped, but because the NFA operates primarily as a tax mechanism — given that the Supreme Court held that the NFA is primarily a tax in Sonzinky v. U.S. (1937) — GOA feels strongly that the provision ought to survive. 

GOA has identified several minor drafting issues and is actively working with lawmakers to ensure they are corrected before final passage. 

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

“The House opened the door—now the Senate is charging through it. The American people have been forced to pay hundreds of dollars and submit to federal gun registration just to own firearms that are protected by the Second Amendment. That ends now. This is a monumental step toward dismantling the ATF’s unconstitutional enforcement regime, and the Senate must finish the job.” 

Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, issued the following statement: 

“The Senate Finance Committee’s move to fully repeal the unconstitutional and archaic National Firearms Act tax on short-barreled firearms and suppressors is the direct result of relentless pressure from GOA’s grassroots and our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. The government has no right to tax and register accessories like suppressors or firearms with short barrels. This is a generational win for the Second Amendment community.” 

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- 

NEW ORLEANS (June 12, 2025) – Today, attorneys for George Peterson have filed a brief in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals responding to the federal government’s latest filing in United States v. George Peterson, an FPC-backed criminal case challenging the federal government’s regulation of suppressors through unconstitutional registration and taxation requirements. 

We come to you with concerning information about HB 143.

With the help of our allies at New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, it has come to our attention that wording from a previously defeated bill, SB 23, has been resurrected and added to HB 143.

The wording of HB 143 now pertains to child endangerment.

In short, the wording of this bill is too expansive, and it leaves significant gaps that WILL be used to harm gun owners if it were to pass.

To quote one section of our legal analysis on HB 143:

“The addition of section IV-a, could lead to a de facto safe storage law, because if someone has a loaded firearm that is not “secured” and there are children or incompetents around, you could possibly be in violation of 639.3(IV-a) and guilty of a felony. Your only recourse would be to have your firearms secured at all times, leaving you vulnerable during a self-defense situation where you would need quick access to it.”

To see our full legal analysis on HB 143, click here.

We encourage you to review this document to gain a better understanding of the negative impacts that HB 143 will have.

The report will be heard on June 26th! Using the form above, make sure to send a message to your legislators to reject the Committee of Conference report on HB 143!

Industry Titans to Headline GOALS Panel on Firearm Innovation and the Future of 2A Technology 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 12, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) is proud to announce an exclusive panel at the 2025 Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS), featuring some of the most influential figures in the firearms industry. This high-powered discussion will explore the cutting edge of Second Amendment product development and the future of firearms innovation. 

Panelists include Jamin McCallum (CEO, Palmetto State Armory), Pete Brownell (CEO, Brownells), Bob Faxon (President, Faxon Firearms), Adam Ruonala (VP of Marketing & Development, Century Arms), and Issac Botkin (Chief Visionary Officer, T.Rex Arms). Together, they’ll offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry’s leading companies continue to thrive—covering everything from market research and patent strategy to navigating economic headwinds and forecasting future trends. 

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

“The Second Amendment is not just a political issue—it’s an engine for American innovation. These leaders represent the best of our industry, and this panel will show how entrepreneurial vision and constitutional rights go hand-in-hand. We’re thrilled to give GOALS attendees an insider look at where the firearm industry is headed.” 

John Fahrner, Deputy Director of Corporate Relations for Gun Owners of America, added: 

“This panel is a must-see for builders, brands, and everyday enthusiasts. These companies are pushing the envelope on design, technology, and freedom—and their stories reflect the resilience and creativity that define the 2A community. We’re proud to host a conversation that celebrates both innovation and liberty.” 

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 Pressure to Restore Concealed Carry Reciprocity Between Pennsylvania and Virginia a Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

June 10, 2025 

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday reestablished concealed carry reciprocity with the Commonwealth of Virginia, ending a 7-year moratorium on recognizing Virginia concealed handgun permits (CHPs). 

The memorandum of agreement was signed on June 9, 2025 between Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, overturning former PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s decision to unilaterally end Pennsylvania’s recognition of Virginia CHPs in April of 2018. 

Gun Owners of America’s (GOA’s) Pennsylvania Director Dr. Val Finnell and legal counsel Gilbert Ambler, Esq. met with Attorney General Dave Sunday in April of this year. Part of the discussion at that meeting was to inform the Attorney General of the errors in then-AG Shapiro’s reasoning for unilaterally revoking concealed carry reciprocity with Virginia. 

“This is great news for the 718,000 CHP holders in the Commonwealth of Virginia. No longer will Virginians be treated as second class citizens when they travel to Pennsylvania. They will be able to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms once more,” said Dr. Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director of Gun Owners of America. 

Gun Owners of America was joined by the Virginia Citizens Defense League in the effort to reestablish concealed carry reciprocity between the two states. 

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.  

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Senator Roger Marshall, the lead co-sponsor of the SHORT Act, just gave GOA kudos for leading the fight for your Second Amendment rights — no compromise.

That’s right. GOA’s relentless grassroots pressure helped secure a massive win in the House: the Hearing Protection Act, which guts parts of the NFA, was added to President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

That’s right. GOA’s relentless grassroots pressure helped secure a massive win in the House: the Hearing Protection Act, which guts parts of the NFA, was added to President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

So, for suppressors, that means no more $200 tax stamps. No more government registration. And no more gun owner databases!

But we’re not done yet.

GOA is now turning up the heat on the U.S. Senate to add the SHORT Act — a bill that would obliterate the NFA’s unconstitutional restrictions on short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons.

FIGHT FOR THE SHORT ACT 

Why does this matter? Because Biden’s ATF already tried to criminalize millions of Americans by reclassifying pistol braces as SBRs. If we don’t kill the NFA’s power now, imagine what the next anti-gunner-in-chief would try to pull.

If we don’t act fast, the SHORT Act could be excluded from the final version of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. 

But we need your help to launch a full-scale lobbying blitz to ensure the SHORT Act is included in the final bill.

Your donation will help us flood the Senate with phone calls and letters to finish what we started — and make sure the NFA is never again used as a weapon against law-abiding gun owners.

DONATE NOW 

And if you haven’t already, click here to send a pre-written letter urging your senator to include the SHORT Act in the final version of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

You did it!

On June 9, 2025, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday signed a memorandum of agreement with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, ending the 7-year moratorium on Pennsylvania recognizing Virginia concealed handgun permits (CHPs). The agreement was effective immediately.

No longer will the 718K Virginia CHP holders be considered second-class citizens when traveling to or through Pennsylvania. They will now be able to exercise their constitutionally-protected rights without requiring a Pennsylvania non-resident license to carry firearms.

In April of 2018, then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro unilaterally ended Virginia concealed carry reciprocity, a purely anti-gun move without any justification. Virginians were faced with either getting a Pennsylvania non-resident license or face criminal prosecution if they carried their concealed firearm in PA.

To correct this injustice, I met with PA Attorney General Dave Sunday in April of this year along with GOA’s legal counsel, Gilbert Ambler, Esq. One of the chief topics of that meeting was restoring Virginia reciprocity, and we detailed the reasons why then-AG Shapiro’s decision was wrong.

But the story doesn’t end there. I can’t accomplish anything without the backing of GOA’s members and supporters. So, I sent out an alert on June 2nd to pressure Dave Sunday to restore Virginia reciprocity and to get behind HR 38 in Congress.

Your efforts worked! Thousands of your emails and phone calls poured into Dave Sunday’s office, and he got the message. Just a week later, AG Sunday signed the new concealed carry reciprocity agreement with Virginia. 

I also want to thank Virginia Citizens Defense League President Phil Van Cleave for writing his own letter to AG Sunday. This letter proved to be invaluable to our joint effort to reestablish concealed carry reciprocity.

So, please take a moment to send a thank you message to Attorney General Dave Sunday (by using the form above) and encourage him to keep up the good work by signing a letter of support for HR 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act in Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 11, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of an important Supreme Court brief in the case of Melynda Vincent v. Attorney General Pam Bondi, a challenge to the federal lifetime ban on the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms for nonviolent felons. FPC is joined by FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF), the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) as parties to the brief, authored by attorneys Joseph G.S. Greenlee and Erin M. Erhardt of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 11, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) urged the U.S. Senate to hold the line and pass President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” with the legislation’s current suppressor reforms intact.

GOA Rallies Media Allies and Influencers to Demand Senate Action on Suppressor and SBR Reform 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 10, 2025 

Washington, D.C. — Gun Owners of America (GOA), joined by over 40 prominent media voices, influencers, and Second Amendment organizations representing a combined audience of more than one billion monthly viewers, has sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo demanding immediate pro-gun action in the upcoming reconciliation package. 

The coalition is urging the Senate to adopt two key reforms: 

1. Section 3 of the Hearing Protection Act, which ensures that gun owners in anti-gun states are protected when purchasing suppressors in accordance with federal law. 

1. The Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, which would eliminate the unconstitutional National Firearms Act (NFA) tax and registry requirements for short-barreled rifles and shotguns. 

While the House’s inclusion of Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act was a positive step, omitting Section 3 would continue to leave millions of gun owners vulnerable to criminal prosecution in states that defy federal preemption. The inclusion of the SHORT Act would likewise deal a final blow to the ATF’s war on pistol braces and restore constitutional protections for popular firearms targeted by the NFA’s arbitrary barrel length rules. 

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

“The House opened the door—now the Senate must walk through it. The inclusion of Section 3 of the Hearing Protection Act and the full SHORT Act is essential to restoring the rights of law-abiding Americans and rolling back unconstitutional mandates that the ATF has used for decades to harass gun owners. The time to act is now.” 

Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to dismantle the worst parts of the NFA and protect millions of gun owners from outdated, abusive laws. GOA is proud to lead this coalition, and we’re calling on Senate Republicans to finish the job and deliver for the grassroots.” 

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- 

The resurrected “Assault Weapons” ban we alerted you to last week has unfortunately passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.

We’d like to reiterate that this fight isn’t over yet, and we can’t lay off even for a moment if we expect to hold the line on keeping semi-automatic firearms legal in Rhode Island.

This bill includes much more than just firearm bans. To directly quote House Minority Leader Chippendale’s press release from June 3rd:

“The bill also places an unfunded mandate on local police departments, requiring them to implement a so-called “voluntary certification” program. But let’s be honest – there is nothing voluntary about it. If a citizen is found in possession of a “grandfathered” firearm without this certificate, they will be subject to criminal penalties. That’s not voluntary – that’s coerced compliance.”

It was also brought to our attention through House Minority Leader Chippendale’s testimony, that H 5436 would devastate the sporting clay industry in Rhode Island, as it includes bans on all semi-automatic shotguns with threaded chokes.

Stopping H 5436 will be an immense effort, and we need you to continue hitting the phonelines to DEMAND your legislators stop it from passing.

When speaking to a Senator or their staff, you can say something like this:

“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [TOWN/CITY]. I’m a member of Gun Owners of America and a Rhode Island voter and I encourage you to vote NO on H 5436 when it comes up for a vote. Gun Owners of America will keep me informed of how you vote.”

This bill may be called up in the Senate Judiciary Committee before it heads to the floor. The list of committee members can be seen here:

​Senator Matthew L. LaMountain – (401) 206-0822

Senator Mark ​McKenney – (401) 578-6258

Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon – (401) 442-6973

Senator John P. Burke – (401) 374-4721

Senator Andrew R. Dimitri – (401) 276-5563

Senator Dawn Euer – (401) 276-5561

Senator Thomas J. Paolino – (401) 222-2708

Senator Todd M. Patalano – (401) 276-5592

Senator Ana B. Quezada – (401) 255-0345

Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis – (401) 276-5567

You can find your State Senator by using this tool from the Rhode Island Department of State: Find my legislator. If you already know who your legislator is, you can use the Senate directory found here: State Senate of Rhode Island.

Reach out to your Senators immediately using the form above and demand that they STOP H 5436!

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 10, 2025) — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) hailed the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Smith & Wesson, Inc., et al. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which applied the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) against the Mexican government’s frivolous lawsuit against gun manufacturers including Smith & Wesson, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Beretta U.S.A., Glock, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Interstate Arms, Century International Arms, and Colt’s Manufacturing Company. You can read FPC’s brief in support of review here, merits-stage brief here, and the Supreme Court’s opinion here.

CHICAGO (June 9, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) asked the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold its critical victory over the Illinois “Protect Illinois Communities Act” (PICA) gun control regulations, which bans so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity” magazines. FPC’s brief says that the “question presented by this case is whether the Second Amendment allows Illinois to ban the best-selling rifle in America and its standard magazine. The answer,” FPC argues, “is no.”

One thing in life is certain: When a member of Congress sees a phone call come through from a GOA member, they panic.

After the House of Representatives got a nonstop earful from gun owners like you, we scored a major win. Just take a look at what Braden Langley had to say about our victory.

The GOA-backed Hearing Protection Act was added to President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1).

That means:

• No more $200 tax stamps
• No more government registration
• No more databases tracking law-abiding gun owners

But we’re not stopping there.

Your God-given right to keep and bear arms is not a “privilege” – and when Congress finally does one thing right, it’s not some grand favor to gun owners. It’s exactly what the Constitution requires that they do!

That’s why GOA is launching another grassroots advocacy campaign to further gut the NFA by forcing the Senate to add the SHORT Act to the reconciliation bill.

The SHORT Act – Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today – would remove short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and Any Other Weapons (AOWs) from the NFA.

I’ll tell you why that’s so important…

Joe Biden’s ATF already reclassified pistol braces as SBRs, which was a backdoor attempt to force millions of lawful gun owners into NFA registration or risk becoming felons overnight.

I’m sure you can imagine a future President Gavin Newsom taking Biden’s abuse even further – expanding NFA definitions to criminalize millions more overnight.

But if the SHORT Act gets added to President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” there would be no NFA effectively left to weaponize against gun owners.

That’s why we need gun owners like YOU to bombard your Senators with phone calls urging them to add the SHORT Act into H.R. 1.

Call your Senators at (202) 224-3121.

Or, if you’d rather speak directly with the Senate Finance Committee, you can reach them at (202) 224-4515.

GOA will not rest until the NFA has been entirely ripped to shreds, and your God-given rights are restored.

To help us finish the job, please consider making a contribution to our 2A Defense Fund.

The White House has just proposed a dangerous plan to merge the ATF and the DEA. This isn’t about streamlining government—it’s a Trojan Horse that threatens our Second Amendment rights like never before.

What This Merger Could Mean for Gun Owners

X A Bigger, More Powerful ATF:

The merger would triple the ATF’s budget and quadruple its tactical units, creating a supercharged agency with even less oversight and accountability.

X Increased Threats to Your Rights:

A combined ATF-DEA would have over 10,000 new employees, amplifying the potential for overreach, harassment, and unconstitutional actions against gun owners.

X A Step Toward Gun Control:

This isn’t about abolishing the ATF. It’s about empowering it to further infringe on your God-given right to keep and bear arms.

GOA has fought the ATF’s overreach for decades, from their illegal gun registry to their attacks on law-abiding gun dealers.

We won’t stand idly by while this merger threatens to create a monster agency that could further erode our freedoms, but we need your help to stop it.

Sign the petition, urging the White House NOT to merge the ATF and the DEA into one agency.

The ATF has a long history of targeting law-abiding Americans, shutting down gun stores for minor clerical errors, surveilling pro-gun communities, and even resorting to violence against citizens. Merging it with the DEA only makes it stronger and harder to hold accountable. We can’t let this happen.

Click here to sign the pre-written letter to the White House and help GOA defeat the ATF-DEA merger.

SIGN THE LETTER