By Adam Kraut
SAF Executive Director
Special to TGM
As 2025 comes to an end, I wanted to share something remarkable with you: This has been one of the most significant years in Second Amendment litigation history.
Major Victories in 2025
Reese v. ATF – The Fifth Circuit ruled that federal restrictions on handgun sales to 18-20-year-olds are unconstitutional, creating a significant circuit split and restoring Second Amendment rights to 18-20-year-olds in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Nguyen v. Bonta – The Ninth Circuit struck down California’s one-gun-per-month rationing law as unconstitutional. The state declined to appeal, making this victory final.
Junior Sports Magazines v. Bonta – The Ninth Circuit ruled in our favor on First Amendment grounds, striking down California’s law banning firearm advertising that could appeal to minors — protecting both free speech and Second Amendment rights.
CRPA v. LASD – We secured a preliminary injunction requiring California to establish a non-resident permit system. The system is now operational and processing applications.
Worth v. Harrington – The Supreme Court denied cert, allowing our Eighth Circuit victory to stand and restoring carry rights for 18-20-year-olds throughout Minnesota.
FPC v. Bondi – A federal court struck down the ban on carrying firearms in U.S. Post Offices, with national implications for federal gun-free zones.
State of Illinois v. Vivian Claudine Brown – An Illinois Circuit Court held the FOID requirement unconstitutional for keeping firearms in the home for self-defense.
Critical Cases Ahead
Our work at SAF is far from finished. With over 55 active cases nationwide, we’re fighting the battles that will define Second Amendment rights for the next generation:
Five Pending Supreme Court Petitions:
Schoenthal v. Raoul – Challenging public transit carry bans.
Madison Lara v. Commissioner, Pennsylvania State Police – Young adult carry rights challenge.
Brown v. ATF – Federal young adult handgun purchase ban.
Viramontes v. The County of Cook – Challenging Cook County’s ban on “assault weapons.”
Grant v. Rovella – Challenging Connecticut’s ban on “assault weapons,” lending another opportunity for the Court to finally confirm the types of protected arms.
TWO NFA Challenges Attacking on Multiple Fronts:
Brown v. ATF (NFA) – Filed in the Eastern District of Missouri, seeking removal of silencers and short-barreled rifles from the NFA.
Jensen v. ATF – Filed in the Northern District of Texas, our second front in dismantling the unconstitutional NFA registration scheme.
Following the elimination of the $200 NFA tax in the Big Beautiful Bill, we identified a viable legal theory to attack the remaining registration requirements. By filing in multiple districts simultaneously, we’re maximizing our chances of success and creating the legal pressure needed to end 91 years of federal overreach.
