Carrying a firearm is banned in federal facilities operated by the National Park Service. These facilities comprise nearly all buildings, visitors centers shops and other service building inside of national parks. As a result, individuals lawfully carrying for their self-defense within national parks are forced to disarm before using these frequently-necessary facilities. This prohibition is not supported buy the history and traditional of firearm regulation in the Republic, and accordingly, violates the Second Amendment.
On March 27, 2026, Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and private citizen Gary Zimmerman filed suit in the Northern District of Texas challenging the federal facilities ban as applied to those facilities operated by the National Park Service, and the associated regulation, on the grounds that they violate the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Case Team: David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstro, R. Brent Cooper
Recent Docket Activity
June 24th, 2026
AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Gary Zimmerman, Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., Lisa Ventura. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge.
June 9th, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to All Plaintiffs. Exhibit A) Modified to add Clerk's note on 6/10/2026 .
April 21st, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Pamela Bondi ; served on 4/16/2026.
April 16th, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Pamela Bondi ; served on 4/3/2026.
April 16th, 2026
SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Pamela Bondi ; served on 4/13/2026.
April 16th, 2026
ORDER granting 7 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of William V. Bergstrom. Important Reminder: Unless excused for cause, an attorney who is not an ECF user must register within 14 days of the date the attorney appears in a case pursuant to LR 5.1 and LCrR 49.2.
April 16th, 2026
ORDER granting 6 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Peter A. Patterson. Important Reminder: Unless excused for cause, an attorney who is not an ECF user must register within 14 days of the date the attorney appears in a case pursuant to LR 5.1 and LCrR 49.2.
