The Supreme Court’s June 18 ruling in United States v. Hemani struck down the federal drug-user gun ban as applied to an occasional marijuana user, marking one of the most significant Second Amendment rulings of the year. Meanwhile, two state laws take effect in just two days, and a key ATF comment deadline closes tomorrow.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS Narrows Federal Drug-User Gun Ban: In a unanimous decision, the Court held that §922(g)(3) cannot be used to disarm an occasional marijuana user; the ruling leaves open prosecutions involving addiction or individualized dangerousness findings. Source: scotusblog.com
• ATF “Unlawful User” Definition — Comment Deadline Tomorrow: ATF’s interim final rule revising the regulatory definition of “Unlawful User of or Addicted to Controlled Substance” closes for public comment June 30, 2026 — directly tied to the Hemani ruling. Source: atf.gov
• Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Takes Effect July 1: The law bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns; existing owners may keep their firearms but cannot sell them in-state to private parties. Source: governor.ri.gov
• Colorado Ammo Age-21 Requirement Takes Effect July 1: Starting Tuesday, retailers must be 21 to purchase ammunition in Colorado, and ammunition must be stored behind a counter or in enclosed displays. Source: leg.colorado.gov
• ATF Proposes Rescinding 2023 Pistol Brace Rule: ATF’s formal proposal would remove the rule that classified many braced pistols as short-barreled rifles; the comment period runs through August 4, 2026. Source: federalregister.gov
• ATF Proposes Eliminating NFA Interstate Transport Notice Requirement: Under the proposed rule, owners of lawfully registered NFA items would not need to file a Form 20 or await ATF approval for interstate transport of 365 days or fewer. Comments are due July 6, 2026. Source: dlapiper.com

What This Means for Gun Owners

The Hemani decision affects how federally licensed dealers should approach Question 21.e on Form 4473, which asks buyers about unlawful drug use — though the ATF’s revised regulatory definition is still pending and no updated form guidance has been issued yet. Rhode Island FFLs must halt in-state transfers of newly banned firearms starting July 1; out-of-state transfers to eligible buyers remain permitted. Colorado retailers should verify compliance with both the new ammunition storage rules and the age-21 purchase requirement before Tuesday’s opening. NFA owners and FFL holders should monitor the open ATF rulemaking dockets, as several proposals with direct operational impact remain in the comment phase.

Key Dates to Watch

• June 30, 2026 (tomorrow): ATF comment deadline on revised “Unlawful User” definition
• July 1, 2026: Rhode Island AWB and Colorado ammo age-21 law take effect
• July 6, 2026: ATF comment deadline on former Soviet-state import ban rescission and NFA interstate transport rule
• July 7, 2026: ATF Form 4473 revision comment period closes
• August 1, 2026: Colorado Firearms Safety Course Eligibility Card requirement takes effect
• August 4, 2026: ATF comment deadline on pistol brace rule rescission

Sources

• scotusblog.com — United States v. Hemani
• atf.gov — Firearms Rulemakings Page
• federalregister.gov — Pistol Brace Proposed Rule
• dlapiper.com — ATF Regulatory Reform Overview
• governor.ri.gov — Rhode Island AWB Signing
• leg.colorado.gov — Colorado SB25-003

This brief is updated daily. Read past briefs.