Judge Benitez to Headline Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas
Retired U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez will deliver the keynote address at the 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference on September 25–27, 2026, at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport hotel. The Second Amendment Foundation announced the selection July 13. Benitez has authored several pro-Second Amendment rulings that shaped modern gun rights litigation post-Bruen.
Key Details
- Event dates: September 25–27, 2026
- Location: Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport hotel, Dallas, Texas
- This marks the 41st annual GRPC
- Judge Benitez is a retired federal judge known for Second Amendment rulings
- SAF planning committee made the announcement
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Judge Benitez's participation signals the caliber of legal expertise and pro-gun jurisprudence the GRPC draws. His courtroom decisions have directly supported gun owner rights in cases that reached national significance. For advocates, competitors, and gun rights organizations, the GRPC offers direct access to judges, legal scholars, and policy figures shaping Second Amendment outcomes. This conference year will likely feature post-Bruen litigation strategy, state-level challenges to magazine restrictions and other bans, and emerging constitutional questions. Gun owners and active Second Amendment supporters should treat this as a networking and education event worth the travel investment.
DownRange Analysis
Judge Benitez's keynote reflects the GRPC's evolution into a heavyweight legal and policy forum. He represents the judicial wing of the modern Second Amendment movement—a voice with actual courtroom power and written opinions cited in active cases. For gun owners watching litigation unfold, his presence confirms that Dallas will attract serious constitutional scholars and judges willing to defend 2A rights in writing. The GRPC agenda typically mirrors active litigation priorities: magazine capacity, carry licensing, age-based restrictions, and red flag law challenges. Expect his remarks to address Bruen application and the gap between appellate wins and lower-court obstruction.
