Editor’s note: Columnist Tanya Metaksa is taking a rest away from the keyboard. We expect her back on the front lines next week.
SUPREME COURT
Writ of Certiorari Petition
Defense Distributed, et. al, v Davenport: Petitioners are Defense Distributed and Second Amendment Foundation, Inc. The case challenges New Jersey’s prohibition on publishing computer files which can be used for 3D printing firearms. This is a First Amendment case.
U.S. District Court
Defense Distributed v. Blanche Victory:U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that Biden-era ATF “Final Rule” on Frames and Receivers is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The case is known as Defense Distributed v Blanche (formerly known as VanDerStok v. Bondi). In his 29-page ruling, Judge O’Connor writes, “The Final Rule does not merely lack supporting analogues. It contradicts the actual historical tradition of personal gunsmithing. Self-manufacture of firearms in America was common and indeed foundational to establishing our Nation…Therefore, the Court determines that an injunction focused on enforcement and implementation remains necessary to wholly redress Plaintiffs’ injuries. Here, declaratory relief is not enough without the additional protection that flows from the clarity of permanent injunctive relief.”
New York Glock Ban challenged: The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), National Rifle Association (NRA), Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), two private citizens and a licensed firearms dealer have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York challenging New York law that bars the sale and transfer of Glock and Glock-style handguns. The 17-page complaint names New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James and Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan as defendants. Also named in the complaint are Monroe County District Attorney Brian P. Green and Genesee County District Attorney Kevin T. Finnell. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Nicolas J. Rotsko of Tysons, Va., and Peter A. Patterson and William V. Bergstrom at Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C.
Texas NFA Ruling Stands: The Justice Department’s decision to not ask for a stay of the ruling of Federal District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, which struck down restrictions on the ownership of suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns, stands. However, it is not a blanket ruling, according to the Silencer Shop, the plaintiff in one of two consolidated legal actions leading to the ruling. Bill Sack, senior director of Legal Operations at the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), has cautioned that there are still questions which need clarification from the Justice Department.
Important Note: The Hendrix ruling does not apply to everyone—or every state—nationwide. See TGM Report. Some states still do not allow ownership of short-barreled rifles or shotguns (SBRs), firearms classified as “any other weapon” (AOW), or suppressors. And there are 15 states which, by state law, still require filling out NFA paperwork.
California Rifle and Pistol Association v. LASD: The Second Amendment Foundation announced a settlement resolving the remaining claims in this case against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) earlier this month. The settlement followed LASD’s representation that it is now processing concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit applications within the 120-day period required by California law. The case, originally filed to address multiple systemic barriers to the right to carry in California, produced several significant victories along the way. SAF is joined in the case by the California Rifle and Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Gun Owners of California and several individuals.
Among the key results of this settlement:
- A preliminary injunction forcing California to begin issuing CCW permits to qualified nonresidents – the first ruling in the country confirming that the right to carry does not stop at state lines. That relief was later made permanent when the Legislature enacted AB 1078, which essentially codified the terms of the injunction.
- A preliminary injunction against LASD’s extreme multi-year wait times, which, combined with pressure from a parallel U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit that was filed after our case, led the department to bring its processing times into compliance with state law.
- Changes to California law eliminating automatic five-year bans on CCW eligibility based solely on temporary restraining orders that were dissolved without a full hearing.
- Reforms by the City of La Verne, which subsidized its psychological exam requirement and modestly reduced related fees after being sued over the high total cost of obtaining a permit; the fight on the high fees issue now continues in our lawsuit against Santa Clara.
Supreme Court Orders: Monday, August 17, 2026
Orders in Pending Cases
COPELAND, KATHRYN V. TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, ET AL.
The application for an injunction pending appeal addressed to Justice Sotomayor and referred to the Court is denied.
LEISER, PHILLIP V. POWELL, CLEO, ET AL.
The application for an injunction pending appeal addressed to Justice Gorsuch and referred to the Court is denied.
GRICE, LAURA V. DESANTIS, RON, ET AL.
The application for an injunction pending appeal addressed to Justice Thomas and referred to the Court is denied.
YOUNG, HUGUETTE V. SUPERIOR COURT OF CA
The application for stay addressed to Justice Gorsuch and referred to the Court is denied.
ANDERSON, WINSTON, ET AL. V. INTEL CORP. INV., ET AL.
The motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument is
granted.
GENALO, DIR., ET AL. V. BLACK, CAROL W., ET AL.
The motion of respondent G. M. to abbreviate and redact respondent’s last name is granted.
KIAN, HAMED V. FLORIDA
The motion of petitioner to dispense with printing the joint appendix is granted.
