Pro-Second Amendment Litigation in California

Several pro-Second Amendment organizations are actively challenging California’s firearm laws in federal courts, many influenced by the 2022 Bruen decision. Below is a summary of ongoing lawsuits by the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and National Rifle Association (NRA).

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC)

• Miller v. Bonta: Challenges California’s “assault weapons” ban as a Second Amendment violation. Active in federal court, co-litigated with SAF, GOA, and CRPA.
• Rhode v. Bonta: Contests ammunition background check requirements for infringing on Second Amendment rights. Active in district or appellate courts, co-litigated with GOA.
• Rupp v. Bonta: Challenges “assault weapons” ban definitions, linked to Miller v. Bonta. Active in federal court.
• B & L Productions, Inc. v. Newsom: Challenges the ban on gun shows at the OC Fair and Event Center, citing First and Second Amendment violations. Active, co-litigated with SAF and CRPA.
• Fouts v. Bonta: Challenges the prohibition on billy clubs as a restriction on Second Amendment self-defense rights. Active in federal court.
• Martin v. Bonta: Challenges California’s open carry ban, post-Bruen. Active in federal court.
• Doe v. Bonta: Challenges the concealed carry “good cause” requirement as unconstitutional. Active, post-Bruen, co-litigated with NRA.
• Gonzales v. Bonta: Challenges the one-gun-per-month purchase restriction as an arbitrary Second Amendment limit. Active, co-litigated with SAF (also known as Nguyen v. Bonta).

Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)

• Duncan v. Bonta: Challenges the large-capacity magazine ban (Proposition 63), also known as Wiese v. Bonta. Active in the Ninth Circuit, co-litigated with CRPA and NRA.
• Baird v. Bonta: Seeks to overturn California’s open carry ban as a Second Amendment violation. Active in federal court.
• Jones v. Bonta: Challenges the ban on self-loading rifle purchases by young adults (ages 18–20). Active in federal court.
• Jaymes v. Maduros: Challenges the 11% tax on firearms and ammunition. Active in federal court.
• Richards v. Newsom: Challenges state laws allowing surveillance of private firearm transactions. Active in federal court.
• May v. Bonta: Challenges the “Bruen Response Bill” restricting firearms in sensitive places. Active in federal court.
• Curtin v. Bonta: Challenges the 10-day waiting period for firearm retrieval post-purchase/transfer. Active in federal court.
• Junior Sports Magazines Inc. v. Bonta: Challenges the prohibition on firearm-related advertising to minors, citing First and Second Amendment violations. Active, co-litigated with CRPA.
• B & L Productions, Inc. v. Newsom (OC Fair): Challenges the gun show ban at the OC Fair and Event Center. Active, co-litigated with FPC and CRPA.
• Barba v. Bonta: Challenges the requirement for the DOJ to share gun owner information with third parties. Active in federal court.
• B & L Productions v. 22nd DAA: Challenges the gun show ban at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Active, co-litigated with CRPA.
• Gonzales v. Bonta: Challenges the one-gun-per-month purchase restriction, also known as Nguyen v. Bonta. Active, co-litigated with FPC.
• Renna v. Bonta: Challenges the Unsafe Handgun Act’s roster requirements. Active, co-litigated with CRPA and NRA.
• Campos v. Bonta: Challenges delays on firearm transactions beyond the 10-day waiting period. Active in federal court.
• Miller v. Bonta: Challenges the “assault weapons” ban. Active, co-litigated with FPC, GOA, and CRPA.
• Roe 1 v. United States: Challenges California and U.S. policies barring Second Amendment rights for those with prior mental health restrictions. Active in federal court.
• Linton v. Bonta: Challenges the denial of Second Amendment rights to individuals whose rights should have been restored. Active, co-litigated with CRPA.

California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA)

• Duncan v. Bonta: Challenges the large-capacity magazine ban. Active in the Ninth Circuit, co-litigated with SAF and NRA.
• Renna v. Bonta: Challenges the “unsafe handgun” roster limiting handgun sales. Active, co-litigated with SAF and NRA.
• Boland v. Bonta: Challenges handgun microstamping and roster requirements. Active in federal court.
• CRPA v. City of Glendale: Challenges Glendale’s ban on firearms on city property, including parks. Active in federal court.
• B & L Productions v. 22nd DAA: Challenges the gun show ban at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Active, co-litigated with SAF.
• B & L Productions v. Newsom: Challenges the gun show ban at the OC Fair and Event Center. Active, co-litigated with FPC and SAF.
• Junior Sports Magazines, Inc. v. Bonta: Challenges the prohibition on firearm-related advertising to minors. Active, co-litigated with SAF.
• Miller v. Bonta: Challenges the “assault weapons” ban. Active, co-litigated with FPC, SAF, and GOA.
• Linton v. Bonta: Challenges the denial of Second Amendment rights to those whose rights should have been restored. Active, co-litigated with SAF.
• South Bay Rod & Gun Club v. Bonta: Challenges firearm storage and training requirements as undue burdens. Active, co-litigated with NRA.

Gun Owners of America (GOA)

• Miller v. Bonta: Supports the challenge to the “assault weapons” ban. Active, co-litigated with FPC, SAF, and CRPA.
• Rhode v. Bonta: Supports the challenge to ammunition background checks. Active, co-litigated with FPC.

National Rifle Association (NRA)

• Duncan v. Bonta: Challenges the large-capacity magazine ban. Active in the Ninth Circuit, co-litigated with SAF and CRPA.
• Renna v. Bonta: Challenges the Unsafe Handgun Act’s roster requirements. Active, co-litigated with SAF and CRPA.
• Doe v. Bonta: Challenges the concealed carry “good cause” requirement, post-Bruen. Active, co-litigated with FPC.
• South Bay Rod & Gun Club v. Bonta: Challenges firearm storage and training requirements. Active, co-litigated with CRPA.

Sources: Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), California Rifle & Pistol Association (crpa.org), NRA Defense Fund (nradefensefund.org). Last updated May 21, 2025.