Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting California firearms law.
Federal court permanently enjoined California's AB 2571, which banned firearm marketing to minors. California conceded the law is unconstitutional under the First Amendment and was ordered to pay $1.4M in attorney fees.
On January 2, 2026, a Ninth Circuit panel struck down California's ban on open carry in counties with populations exceeding 200,000. The en banc petition is pending and the mandate is tolled. All open carry laws remain enforceable.
Duncan v. Bonta is the lead challenge to California's ban on large-capacity magazines (more than 10 rounds). The case has produced multiple rulings by Judge Benitez, two en banc hearings, a SCOTUS GVR after Bruen, and Freedom Week. It remains pending on remand.
May v. Bonta and Carralero v. Bonta challenged SB 2's expansive list of "sensitive places" where concealed carry is prohibited. The Ninth Circuit reversed the preliminary injunction in significant part (mandate January 23, 2025), making 20 of 26 categories enforceable. Six categories remain enjoined. Plaintiffs have petitioned for en banc rehearing.
Boland v. Bonta challenges the California Handgun Roster and its microstamping requirement as unconstitutional under Bruen. The roster has shrunk from over 1,200 models at its peak to approximately 800 due to the microstamping mandate, which no manufacturer has been able to implement.
Miller v. Bonta is the lead challenge to California's assault weapons ban. After the Ninth Circuit en banc court upheld the large-capacity magazine ban in Duncan v. Bonta (March 2025), the Miller panel ordered supplemental briefing and the case was resubmitted to the panel for decision. A ruling from the Ninth Circuit is pending.
Rupp v. Bonta is a parallel challenge to California's assault weapons ban filed in the Central District, brought by different plaintiffs but raising similar constitutional issues. The case received a SCOTUS GVR after Bruen and is pending on remand.
Rhode v. Bonta challenges California's Proposition 63 ammunition background check system, which requires point-of-sale background checks for all ammunition purchases and bans direct-to-consumer online sales. Judge Benitez has enjoined the system, and the case is on appeal.
On June 23, 2022, the Supreme Court held 6-3 in NYSRPA v. Bruen that New York's "proper cause" requirement for concealed carry permits violates the Second Amendment. The decision established a new text, history, and tradition framework and eliminated "good cause" requirements for CCW permits nationwide.
On June 28, 2010, the Supreme Court held 5-4 in McDonald v. City of Chicago that the Second Amendment individual right recognized in Heller is incorporated against state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.
In a landmark 5-4 decision on June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court held in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, unconnected with militia service, for traditionally lawful purposes such as self-defense in the home.