Federal 2A
Intelligence

National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

Requires all states to recognize valid CCW permits from other states. House passed; Senate faces 60-vote threshold.

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Enhanced background checks for under-21 buyers, closed "boyfriend loophole," $750M for state crisis programs. Most significant federal gun law in 30 years.

Hearing Protection Act

Would remove suppressors from NFA, requiring only a BGC. Partially moot after NFA tax elimination in H.R. 1, but supporters want full NFA deregulation.

Firearm Safety Act of 2024

Universal background checks on all firearm sales including private transfers. No floor vote in the 118th Congress.

Assault Weapons Ban of 2023

Bans semi-auto rifles with military features and mags over 10 rounds. Constitutionality unclear post-Bruen; SCOTUS may weigh in via Viramontes/NAGR.

Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence

Would repeal PLCAA immunity for manufacturers. Failed to advance out of committee.

NFA Tax Stamp Eliminated

H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) eliminated the $200 NFA tax for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs effective January 1, 2026. All other NFA requirements remain: Form 4 submissions, CLEO notification, fingerprints, photographs, and ATF wait times. Machine guns and destructive devices still require the $200 stamp.

Pistol Brace Rule Rescinded

ATF formally rescinded the January 2023 rule that reclassified brace-equipped pistols as SBRs. Owners do not need to register, modify, or remove their braces. No federal felony risk.

Forced Reset Triggers — Federally Legal

DOJ settled Rare Breed Triggers v. Garland, restoring federal legality for FRTs. FRTs require a separate trigger function per round, removing them from the machine gun definition under Cargill. State laws vary — still prohibited under some state AWBs.

ATF 34-Rule Regulatory Reform Package

DOJ and ATF released 34 proposed and final rules covering FFL dealer operations, digital recordkeeping, NFA compliance post-Cargill, and import/export. Most significant ATF reform in history. Some rules are final; others in comment period through fall 2026.

Frames & Receivers Rule (Ghost Guns)

ATF's 2022 rule expanded the firearm definition to include certain 80% lower kits with jigs. Upheld 7-2 in Bondi v. VanDerStok (2025) as not facially invalid. As-applied challenges remain. Standalone 80% lowers sold without jigs may still fall outside the rule.

"Engaged in the Business" Rule Rescinded

ATF rescinded the Biden-era expansion that would have required many private sellers to obtain FFLs. Reverts to BSCA statutory language requiring 'predominant purpose' to profit. Private collection sellers on a non-recurring basis are no longer at risk under the rescinded framework.

United States v. Hemani

Tests whether Congress can disarm someone who habitually uses controlled substances under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(3). Decision expected June or July 2026.

Wolford v. Lopez

Hawaii barred carry on any private property without explicit written owner permission — effectively a de facto carry ban. Could reshape sensitive-places doctrine post-Bruen.

Viramontes v. Cook County

Challenges Illinois/Cook County AWB under the Bruen text-and-history test. If cert granted, would be the first major SCOTUS ruling on AWBs.

NAGR v. Lamont

Challenges Connecticut's assault weapons ban. Being considered alongside Viramontes — the Court's likely entry point on AWBs.

Duncan v. Bonta

California's 10-round magazine cap. Relisted at SCOTUS conference 12+ times. Would be first direct SCOTUS ruling on magazine restrictions.

Garland v. Cargill

6-3: Bump stocks do not convert semi-auto rifles into machine guns. Stripped ATF authority to redefine devices by regulatory fiat.

Bondi v. VanDerStok

7-2: ATF ghost gun rule not facially invalid — kits with jigs can qualify as firearms under GCA. As-applied challenges remain.

United States v. Rahimi

8-1: Upheld disarming those under domestic violence protective orders. Narrow ruling — applies only when credible threat found.

Gardner v. Maryland

After 15 relistings, cert denied — leaving Maryland AWB intact for now. Justice Kavanaugh signaled Court should address AR-15 question soon.

NY State Rifle & Pistol v. Bruen

Landmark 6-3: Established text-and-history framework. All gun laws must now be grounded in founding-era tradition. Most significant 2A ruling since Heller.

DC v. Heller

5-4: Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for self-defense. Struck DC handgun ban. The constitutional foundation of all 2A litigation.