Starting January 1, 2019, a change to California law became effective that prohibited Young Adults (ages 18-20-years-old) from purchasing or acquiring any firearm. This new law was a drastic departure from the prior status quo and only provided a few limited exemptions. As a result of the new law, Young Adults who wished to purchase firearms for self protection were no longer able to do so.
This restriction is incompatible with the Second Amendment’s plain text. And an examination of this nation’s history and tradition demonstrates that prohibiting the purchase of these arms by Young Adults is constitutionally impermissible. There were no colonial or founding era laws that restricted the rights of Young Adults to keep and carry arms.
On July 1, 2019, the Second Amendment Foundation filed suit, along with three other civil rights organizations, two Young Adults, and three firearms retailers. The lawsuit asks a federal court to declare that the law violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments and enjoin the Defendants from enforcing the ban on Young Adults from being able to purchase long guns.
To view documents filed on appeal, please visit the Court of Appeals docket.
Case Team: John Dillon, David Thompson, Peter Patterson, John Ohlendorf, Haley Proctor
Recent Docket Activity
July 10th, 2025
NOTICE of Withdrawal of Counsel John D. Echeverria by Rob Bonta, Allison Mendoza .
April 18th, 2025
USCA Case Number 25-2509 for 162 Notice of Appeal to 9th Circuit,, filed by North County Shooting Center, Inc., Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., The California Gun Rights Foundation, PWGG, L.P., Second Amendment Foundation.
April 18th, 2025
USCA Time Schedule Order as to 162 Notice of Appeal to 9th Circuit,, filed by North County Shooting Center, Inc., Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., The California Gun Rights Foundation, PWGG, L.P., Second Amendment Foundation. ; Due date for filing of transcripts in US District Court is 6/16/2025.)
April 15th, 2025
NOTICE OF APPEAL to the 9th Circuit as to 159 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, 160 Clerk's Judgment, by Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., North County Shooting Center, Inc., PWGG, L.P., Second Amendment Foundation, The California Gun Rights Foundation. .
April 14th, 2025
NOTICE OF APPEAL to the 9th Circuit as to 159 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, 160 Clerk's Judgment, by Jose Chavez, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Firearms Policy Foundation, Andrew Morris, North County Shooting Center, Inc., PWGG, L.P., Second Amendment Foundation, The California Gun Rights Foundation. .
March 26th, 2025
ORDER Granting 132 Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment; and Denying 136 Plaintiffs' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge M. James Lorenz on 3/26/2025.
March 26th, 2025
CLERK'S JUDGMENT. IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that judgment is in favor of Allison Mendoza, Rob Bonta against Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Firearms Policy Foundation, North County Shooting Center, Inc., PWGG, L.P., Second Amendment Foundation, The California Gun Rights Foundation, Andrew Morris, Jose Chavez
