The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) closed out 2025 by pointing to a year that reshaped the legal landscape for gun owners across the country, with major court victories affecting young adults, carry rights, speech protections, and longstanding regulatory schemes.
In a year-end summary circulated to supporters, SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut described 2025 as “one of the most significant years in Second Amendment litigation history,” citing wins in federal appellate courts, state courts, and cases with nationwide implications.
“These aren’t just legal victories — they’re real-world wins that restore freedom to everyday Americans,” the Foundation stated.
Key Court Victories Across Multiple Circuits
Several of SAF’s most notable successes came in federal appellate courts, where judges ruled against long-standing gun restrictions.
In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that federal restrictions on handgun sales to adults aged 18 to 20 violate the Constitution. The ruling restored handgun purchase rights for young adults in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, while also creating a circuit split that could draw Supreme Court review.
On the West Coast, Nguyen v. Bonta resulted in the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s one-gun-per-month law. California declined to appeal, making the decision final and ending the rationing policy.
The Ninth Circuit also sided with SAF in Junior Sports Magazines v. Bonta, ruling that California’s ban on firearm advertising that could “appeal to minors” violated the First Amendment. The decision protected both free speech and the ability of lawful businesses to communicate with their audiences.
Carry Rights and Permitting Progress
SAF also secured wins expanding lawful carry access.
In CRPA v. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a preliminary injunction required California to establish a non-resident concealed carry permit system. According to SAF, the system is now operational and processing applications.
In Worth v. Harrington, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing an Eighth Circuit decision to stand that restored carry rights for 18- to 20-year-olds throughout Minnesota.
Another significant ruling came in FPC v. Bondi, where a federal court struck down the ban on carrying firearms in U.S. Post Offices, a decision with national implications for federal “gun-free zones.”
At the state level, an Illinois Circuit Court ruled in State of Illinois v. Vivian Claudine Brown that the state’s FOID requirement is unconstitutional when applied to keeping firearms in the home for self-defense.
Supreme Court Petitions and Major Challenges Ahead
Despite the string of victories, SAF emphasized that many consequential cases remain unresolved.
The organization currently has five petitions pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, including challenges to public transit carry bans, young adult carry restrictions, and bans on commonly owned firearms labeled as “assault weapons” in states such as Illinois and Connecticut.
SAF is also pursuing two major challenges to the National Firearms Act. Following the elimination of the $200 NFA tax, the Foundation stated it has identified new legal grounds to challenge the remaining federal registration requirements for silencers and short-barreled rifles.
According to SAF, these cases are being filed in multiple federal districts to increase the likelihood of success and to apply pressure across jurisdictions.
A Year That Changed the Legal Map
With more than 55 active cases nationwide, SAF’s 2025 litigation efforts touched nearly every major front in modern Second Amendment law — from who may exercise the right, to where firearms may be carried, to what arms are protected, and how speech related to firearms is treated under the Constitution.
As Kraut noted in the year-end message, the cases decided this year are already affecting “everyday Americans,” while pending cases may define Second Amendment law for decades to come.
Short note for readers:
The Second Amendment Foundation credits public support for making its 2025 litigation efforts possible. Readers who want to follow or support ongoing constitutional cases can learn more directly through the Foundation.
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