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Gun Owners of America (GOA) just scored a major win in the fight for our Second Amendment rights—and most folks haven’t even heard about it. Thanks to GOA’s years-long legal battle and a little help from a Trump-era executive order, the ATF has reversed course and expanded the list of concealed carry permits that can bypass background checks when buying a firearm from a dealer.
Here’s what it means for you and why it matters.
What’s a “Brady Permit”?
Most gun owners know you need a background check when buying a gun from a licensed dealer. But in many states, if you already have a concealed carry permit, you don’t have to go through that check again. That permit acts as proof you’re already cleared. This exemption is called the Brady Alternative, named after the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.
Not all permits qualify, though. For one to count as a “Brady Permit,” it must:
- Let you possess or acquire a firearm.
- Be issued within the last five years.
- Be issued only after a full background check confirms you’re not a prohibited person.
Sounds simple, right? But the ATF has a history of picking and choosing which states’ permits qualify—ignoring federal law and causing headaches for legal gun owners.
GOA Took the Fight to Court—and Won
Back in 2019, a Michigan man with a valid CCW was denied a firearm purchase because the dealer wouldn’t accept his permit as a Brady alternative. GOA filed suit in Michigan and Alabama to challenge the ATF’s narrow interpretation of the law.
The ATF fought it—but after Trump’s executive order demanding agencies review anti-gun policies, they started to fold.
As of now, 30 states and Puerto Rico have at least one permit that qualifies as a Brady Permit. Check the List online at ATF. That means millions of gun owners can now skip the redundant background check when purchasing from FFLs.
Why This Matters
This win cuts red tape. You already passed a background check to get your CCW. Forcing you to go through it again every time you buy a gun is government overreach—plain and simple. This victory is a small but meaningful rollback of the bloated, inefficient NICS system that punishes law-abiding Americans.
Plus, with this decision, gun owners in places like Michigan, Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, and even Puerto Rico now benefit from restored recognition of their permits. That’s huge.
But the Fight’s Not Over
GOA’s Sam Paredes made it clear: they’re not done. Plenty of states—like California, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon—still refuse to play ball. Some issue permits that last too long, while others ignore key parts of the Brady Act or refuse to update their laws.
GOA is ready to keep suing and lobbying until all 50 states recognize the Brady alternative. And yes, that includes places like California, where you basically need a background check just to blink.
Bottom Line for Gun Owners
Check if your permit qualifies. GOA and the ATF have updated charts online.
- If it does, you can skip the NICS check when buying a firearm from a dealer.
- If it doesn’t, know that GOA is still fighting—and they might need support from folks like you.
Want to Help?
Join the fight. You can become a member of GOA at GunOwners.org and support their mission to knock down unconstitutional restrictions—one battle at a time.
As Sam Paredes said: “We’re not singing kumbaya around the campfire. We’re still in the trenches.”
And that’s exactly where we need to be.
ATF Expands List of State Gun Permits That Bypass NICS Checks
