Two Supreme Court decisions issued this week are reshaping carry rights and federal gun prohibitions. A unanimous Court narrowed the federal drug-user gun ban on June 18, and a 6–3 ruling on June 25 struck down Hawaii’s affirmative-consent carry law — with direct implications for similar laws in California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Rhode Island’s assault weapons transfer ban takes effect in four days.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS: Drug-User Gun Ban Narrowed (9–0): In United States v. Hemani, the Court held that automatic, status-based prosecution of marijuana users under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) violates the Second Amendment, though case-by-case prosecutions tied to demonstrated dangerousness remain open. Source: cnbc.com
• SCOTUS: Hawaii Affirmative-Consent Carry Law Struck Down (6–3): In Wolford v. Lopez, the Court reversed Hawaii’s requirement that gun owners obtain explicit permission before carrying on private property open to the public, restoring the default rule — carry is permitted unless the property owner affirmatively prohibits it — already in place in 45 states. Source: scotus2a.com
• Rhode Island Assault Weapons Transfer Ban — 4 Days Out: Beginning July 1, 2026, Rhode Island law bans the manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Current owners may retain their firearms or sell them to an FFL or to buyers outside the state who can lawfully possess them. Violations carry up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Source: governor.ri.gov
• ATF Form 4473 Overhaul — Comment Window Open: ATF’s proposed rule would streamline Form 4473 verification, allow electronic forms, double the NICS transaction performance window, and replace indefinite FFL record retention with defined periods of 20 or 30 years. Public comments are due August 6, 2026. Source: federalregister.gov
• ATF FFL eZ Check Rule — Effective August 4: FFLs transferring a firearm to another FFL may verify the transferee’s license through ATF’s online eZ Check system using only the FFL number, eliminating the requirement to obtain a certified paper copy of the license. Source: federalregister.gov

What This Means for Gun Owners

The Hemani decision means federal prosecutors can no longer charge a firearm offense solely because a person uses marijuana — but the law itself remains on the books, and individuals who are shown to pose a genuine danger may still face charges. The Wolford ruling is immediately relevant for carriers in Hawaii and signals legal vulnerability for similar affirmative-consent statutes in California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Rhode Island residents who own affected firearms should confirm their plans before July 1 — out-of-state transfers to eligible buyers and FFL sales remain lawful options. FFLs nationwide should note the August 4 eZ Check effective date and review the Form 4473 NPRM before the August 6 comment deadline.

Key Dates to Watch

• July 1, 2026: Rhode Island assault weapons transfer and sale prohibition takes effect
• August 4, 2026: ATF FFL eZ Check verification rule becomes effective
• August 6, 2026: Deadline for public comment on ATF Form 4473 overhaul NPRM
• Late September 2026: SCOTUS long conference — Novotny v. Moore expected to be considered for the next term

Sources

• cnbc.com — SCOTUS Rules 9-0 on Drug-User Gun Ban
• scotus2a.com — Wolford v. Lopez Decision Tracker
• governor.ri.gov — Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Signed
• federalregister.gov — ATF Form 4473 NPRM
• federalregister.gov — ATF FFL eZ Check Final Rule

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