The federal judge who initially sought lists of members of two gun rights organizations as part of an Oct. 7 order in the case of Reese v. ATF has vacated that order in response to a joint motion filed by attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation and the Department of Justice, which sought the change.
In that joint motion, which may be read here, it is explicitly noted, “The Government, as a general policy, does not compel disclosure of the identity of members of private organizations, and the Government did not seek to do so here.” (Emphasis added)
This notation tends to refute assertions made in recent days by critics of Attorney General Pamela Bondi which suggested she should be fired because of the judge’s initial order, for which she was not responsible, as the facts of this unfolding controversy appear to confirm.
Bill Sack, SAF director of Legal Operations, confirmed to Ammoland via telephone that the government did not ask for the membership lists. What apparently happened was essentially a misunderstanding by District Court Judge Robert Summerhays, which he immediately corrected by vacating his Oct. 7 order after receiving the joint SAF/DOJ motion last Friday.
SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, also via telephone, confirmed Sack’s account. Ammoland reached out to the Justice Department, which did not immediately return our call.
In a statement released by SAF, Sack assured, “We had no intention of releasing any private membership data and were prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure our member list was not disclosed to the government. Luckily, the court responded to our joint motion promptly and vacated its original order. With that order vacated and a phone conference forthcoming as to the proper scope of relief, it appears we will have more updates on the Reese order in the near future.”
Update on @JusticeDept’s Second Amendment work, including recent court filings and initiatives to expand gun-owners’ rights nationally under @AGPamBondi’s leadership. Stay tuned— even more to come!!! #2A pic.twitter.com/7meoODjcv4
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) October 14, 2025
The court case around which this controversy is swirling deals with a challenge by SAF, the Louisiana Shooting Association and Firearms Policy Coalition of the prohibition on handgun sales to young adults in the 18-20-year age group.
In his new order, Judge Summerhays—a Donald Trump appointee—notes, “The Court will set a telephone conference at its earliest opportunity to: (1) set a hearing on the Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment, and (2) set a briefing schedule, if necessary. THUS DONE in Chambers on this 10th day of October, 2025.”
What started this flap? It was this language in Judge Summerhays’s initial Oct. 7 order: “Within twenty-one (21) days of issuance of this Judgment, those Plaintiffs identified at paragraph 2(b) shall provide to Defendants a verified list of their members as of November 6, 2020.” As noted above, the Justice Department did not ask for this information.
The joint motion which resulted in Judge Summerhays’ reversal was signed by three Justice Department officials, plus all of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs.
Ammoland News initially reported on the Oct. 7 Summerhays order here.
The joint motion language notes, “The Parties hereby jointly move to amend this Court’s Judgment, Doc. 82 (Oct. 7, 2025) in the following respects. To add the following underlined and bolded language to paragraph 2(b): “and (b) individuals and federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, dealers or collectors who were members of Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Second Amendment Foundation, or Louisiana Shooting Association at the time the action was filed on November 6, 2020 and who are identified by Plaintiffs pursuant to paragraph 5.” And to alter the language of paragraph 5 to replace “shall provide” with “may provide.” Given the urgency of the issues raised by the Court’s Judgment, the Parties respectfully request a ruling on this motion on or before October 14, 2025.”
Since her appointment as U.S. Attorney General, Bondi has been targeted by critics for a variety of reasons, while she has also been praised for actions including the DOJ lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for its foot-dragging on issuing handgun carry permits.
Major Gun Rights Group Calls for Pam Bondi’s Immediate Termination as Attorney General
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms, and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
