The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the Second Amendment protects AR-15-style rifles, setting up the most consequential gun-rights ruling since Heller. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is simultaneously suing Virginia and California over new gun-sale restrictions, and ATF continues a broad deregulatory push on NFA and Form 4473 requirements.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS Grants Cert on AR-15 Bans: The Court consolidated Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins to decide whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect AR-15-platform rifles, with arguments expected this fall and a ruling by June 2027. Source: thereload.com
• DOJ Sues Virginia and California: The Justice Department filed suit against Virginia’s ban on automatic-weapon sales and California’s new law restricting “machinegun-convertible pistol” sales, arguing both are unconstitutional. Source: cbsnews.com
• Virginia Assault Firearm/Magazine Bans Effective, Partially Enjoined: Virginia’s SB 749/HB 217 took effect July 1, but injunctions currently block enforcement by state police and some commonwealth’s attorneys, while the Firearm Industry Standards of Responsibility law remains fully in force. Source: echeckpoint.com
• Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Takes Effect: R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47.2-1 to -3 now prohibits manufacturing, selling, or transferring defined “prohibited firearms,” with penalties up to 10 years and $10,000 in fines. Source: echeckpoint.com
• ATF Proposes Cutting NFA Fingerprint/Photo Requirements: A new proposed rule would drop fingerprint cards from two to one, eliminate fingerprinting for trust applicants, and allow ID scans instead of passport-style photos, opening a 90-day comment period. Source: ammoland.com
• ATF Withdraws “EZ Check” Transfer Verification Rule: ATF withdrew its May direct final rule on licensee transfer verification after receiving significant adverse comments, as required under the rule’s own terms. Source: atf.gov
• Form 4473 Overhaul Proposed: ATF’s proposed updates would extend NICS validity periods, clarify background-check exceptions, and allow electronic forms and records; the comment period closed July 7. Source: atf.gov

What This Means for Gun Owners

The SCOTUS cert grant creates significant uncertainty for owners in states with assault-weapon bans — nothing changes immediately, but a ruling next year could reshape or strike down bans in over a dozen states. In the near term, ATF’s deregulatory moves suggest faster, less burdensome NFA processing ahead, while state-level bans in Virginia and Rhode Island are now legally in effect (with Virginia’s only partially enforceable due to injunctions). Buyers and sellers in affected states should confirm current enforcement status before completing transfers involving covered firearms.

Key Dates to Watch

• October 2026: Oral arguments expected in Viramontes/Grant AR-15 cases at SCOTUS.
• October 5, 2026: Comment period closes on ATF’s NFA fingerprint/photo rule.
• June 2027: Expected SCOTUS decision on AR-15 constitutional status.

Sources

• thereload.com — Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of AR-15 Bans
• cbsnews.com — DOJ Sues Virginia and California Over Gun Laws
• echeckpoint.com — July 2026 Firearms Law Compliance
• ammoland.com — ATF NFA Fingerprint/Photo Rule
• atf.gov — ATF Launches New Era of Reform
• portal.ct.gov — CT AG Statement on SCOTUS Cert Grant

This brief is updated daily. Read past briefs.