Plaintiffs in challenge against Maryland’s Glock ban move for preliminary injunction
BALTIMORE — The big-name gun rights groups and plaintiffs in the case challenging Maryland’s Glock pistol ban – expected to go into effect on January 1, 2027 – filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on July 20.
The filing leans on the recent clarification provided by the Supreme Court in its Wolford ruling as to how to apply the “textual” question posed in Bruen.
“As the Supreme Court recently explained in Wolford v. Lopez, the textual question has three sub-parts: the regulation must 1) apply to ‘the people,’ 2) concern ‘Arms,’ and 3) restrict either the ‘keep[ing]’ or the ‘bear[ing]’ of arms. All three prerequisites are easily met here.”
Bathras v. Moore was filed in the District Court of Maryland in May of 2026 against the governor of Maryland, Westley Moore, along with the attorney general, Anthony Brown, and acting superintendent of the state police, Michael Jackson.
The suit is backed by a coalition of gun rights groups working together, including the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. (FPC), and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF).
“Pernicious bans on commonly owned arms are an affront to the Second Amendment and a transparent attack on the ability of peaceable citizens to acquire arms,” SAF said in a statement on X.
Alabama gun rights group authors “Program for Freedom” legislative plan for elected reps
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — BamaCarry, which positions itself as Alabama’s only “no compromise” gun rights group, announced on July 20 a professionally produced physical book called “Program for Freedom” which “[outlines] our complete legislative plan to protect and expand gun rights in Alabama.”
The group states that “Our goal is to place this plan in the hands of every member of the Alabama House and Senate so no politician can claim they do not know what Alabama gun owners expect.”
They describe the book as a statute-by-statute roadmap that “identifies 19 specific reforms Alabama lawmakers must address and explains what current law says, how it affects gun owners, and what the Legislature must do to fix it.” Pre-orders are available.
ATF proposed rule to resolve regulatory ambiguity about “delivering” a firearm
WASHINGTON — Regulatory ambiguity largely defines the federal government when it comes to firearms, and so it’s not surprising to see an attempt to clarify a regulation that causes more questions than answers.
The ATF – an enforcement body – is attempting to redefine a rule addressing what happens when a person travels on trains, buses or ferries with a firearm, and how that might invoke a penalty under the Gun Control Act of 1968, passed by Congress. In a nutshell, travelers weren’t sure if simply carrying their firearm onboard while traveling violated rules about “delivering” guns to carriers. The ATF posted the proposed rule on July 20.
If that is difficult to follow, understand it’s largely intentional. An enforcement body is trying to clean up a job poorly done by a law-making body, something it doesn’t have the strict power to do.
Nonetheless, the proposed rule is available for comment on the Federal Register until August 4.
Judge slaps Virgin Islands government for disrespect – denies stay in 2A case
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — For the second time in a month, the government of the Virgin Islands has shown disdain for the United States judicial system, and this time it paid a price, with United States District Judge Evan Rikhye denying the government’s request to stay the briefing.
In his three-page order on July 18, Judge Rikhye roundly admonished the government writing, “Indeed, regarding this inexcusable lapse, the Court notes with disappointment Defense counsel’s glaring lack of attention to basic litigation procedures.”
In June, the VI government delayed its response to the stated briefing schedule, with the judge demanding they show cause.
The case is not inconsequential; it is in fact quite significant, as one of the affirmative lawsuits filed by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division in December of 2025, challenging the territory’s firearms permitting delays. The Virgin Islands share the same circuit as New Jersey, and thus any positive outcome would portend well in the challenge against New Jersey’s permitting schemes.
Oral arguments scheduled in DOJ-supported case against Massachusetts handgun ban
BOSTON — On September 9, the First Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in a case, Granata v. Campbell, challenging Massachusetts’ “approved firearms roster,” which also conveniently serves as a list of handguns illegally banned in the state. Learn more about the case’s history.
This case is also significant in that in January of this year, the Department of Justice’s “Second Amendment Section,” led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of gun owners in the state, writing, “the effect of the law is to bar ordinary citizens from acquiring widely owned and commonly used arms.”
Virginia FFLs resume sales of semi-automatic firearms and magazines with more than 15 rounds
RICHMOND, Va. — According to a July 21 post on X by the Virginia gun rights group, Virginia Citizens Defense League, the statewide injunction issued against the “assault weapons” ban passed in May has allowed FFLs to resume sales of popular semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15, along with magazines that were legal prior to the ban.
A July 21 post on X from popular gun builder and retailer Palmetto State Armory also confirmed they are shipping lawful firearms and accessories to the state.
New Jersey State Police tells FFLs that “guidance” is coming regarding firearms and magazine sales related to Third Circuit decision
TRENTON, N.J. — FFLs around New Jersey have received a message from the New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigation & Licensing Bureau acknowledging that the recent Third Circuit decision striking down the state’s “assault weapons” and magazine ban will have an impact on sales of previously prohibited items.
The letter was first published on Facebook by the Green Brook, New Jersey-based Middlebrook Firearms on July 21, with other FFLs also confirming similar communications.
Strangely, the letter states that the Third Circuit’s decision is effective July 31, and goes on to state, “We are working with the Office of the Attorney General to develop practical guidance for New Jersey residents and businesses in light of that decision.”
Palmetto State Armory, which started shipping firearms and magazines to Virginia again on July 21, is still “waiting for legal guidance before updating our policies,” as it relates to continuance of sales in New Jersey, according to an X post on July 20.
DOJ files for preliminary injunction in U.S. Virgin Islands with regard to magazines
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands — The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit it filed against the Virgin Islands, citing the Third Circuit’s recent decision in ANJRPC v. Attorney General.
The DOJ lawsuit against the USVI was filed in December of 2025, challenging the territory’s permitting delays, but its July 22 motion is based upon the Third Circuit’s decision striking down New Jersey’s mag ban. It calls for a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of possession on magazines holding 30 or fewer rounds. The USVI bans any magazine that can hold more than 15 rounds.
On July 21, Gun Owners of America filed another lawsuit against the USVI, challenging its non-resident possession ban.
ATF proposes rule to update medical terminology regarding disabilities, impact on veterans
WASHINGTON — On July 22, the ATF released another of its 34 proposed rules in its reform package, this one proposing to change medical terminology that would render an individual disabled from possessing firearms.
The specific proposal is to update the regulatory definitions of “adjudicated as a mental defective” and “committed to a mental institution” as defined under the Gun Control Act.
On its face, the rule seems relatively benign, but it may have a positive impact for veterans. The term “mental defective” was borrowed from the Veterans Affairs (VA) rule, which says a person is mentally incompetent if injury or disease stops them from handling contracts, daily affairs, or their own money. Anyone receiving this designation was banned from guns under current law.
(As we reported in February of this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs ended this discriminatory practice.)
The rule is available for comment on the Federal Register until August 8. We encourage all veterans to comment.
