The Supreme Court agreed to hear a consolidated challenge to state “assault weapons” bans just as the Justice Department filed new lawsuits against Virginia and California over laws that took effect July 1. Combined with a proposed ATF rule easing NFA trust fingerprint requirements, it’s a busy week for federal gun policy heading into the July 6 comment deadlines.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS Grants Cert on Assault Weapons Bans: The Court will hear consolidated cases from the Seventh and Second Circuits (Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins) this fall, with a ruling likely by mid-2027 that could decide the constitutionality of AR-15-style bans in roughly a dozen states. Source: jurist.org
• DOJ Sues Virginia Over Assault Weapons Ban: The lawsuit, DOJ’s seventh gun-related suit this year, challenges Virginia’s newly enacted ban, which is already blocked by a federal injunction pending appeal. Source: thetrace.org
• DOJ Sues California Over “Glock Ban” and Handgun Roster: Filed in the Central District of California against the state and AG Rob Bonta, the suit challenges AB 1127’s restrictions on “machinegun-convertible” pistols and the state’s handgun roster system. California argues Glocks fall outside the Second Amendment’s plain text. Source: justice.gov
• Virginia’s Broader Gun Law Package Takes Effect: Alongside the enjoined assault weapons ban, numerous other Virginia firearms provisions took effect July 1, with grandfather clauses allowing continued possession of previously owned qualifying firearms. Source: virginiamercury.com
• ATF Proposes Dropping NFA Fingerprint Requirement for Trusts: A rule set for Federal Register publication July 6 would eliminate fingerprint and photo requirements for NFA trust applicants, opening a 90-day comment period. Source: ammoland.com

What This Means for Gun Owners

The SCOTUS cert grant is the biggest development: it sets up a nationwide resolution of “assault weapon” ban constitutionality within the next year, making current state bans (and injunctions against them) provisional pending that ruling. California and Virginia residents should watch their respective cases closely, as both new bans face active federal challenges and, in Virginia’s case, remain unenforceable for now. NFA trust holders may see reduced paperwork burdens if the ATF’s proposed rule is finalized after the comment period.

Key Dates to Watch

• July 6, 2026: Comment deadline for several ATF regulatory rules; NFA fingerprint rule officially published in the Federal Register.
• October 2026: Supreme Court term begins; oral arguments expected in the consolidated assault weapons ban cases.

Sources

• jurist.org — SCOTUS Grants Cert on Assault Weapons Bans
• thetrace.org — DOJ Sues Virginia and California
• justice.gov — DOJ Sues California Over Glock Ban
• virginiamercury.com — New Virginia Laws Take Effect
• ammoland.com — ATF Proposes NFA Fingerprint Rule Change

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