WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 14, 2024) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Garland v. Cargill, a case challenging the federal government’s unlawful ban on ‘bump-stock’ devices. The decision can be viewed here. Both organizations filed important merits-stage briefs in the case; FPC’s brief is available here, and FPCAF’s brief is available here.

Notably, the Court held in the decision that “[s]emiautomatic firearms, which require shooters to reengage the trigger for every shot, are not machineguns.” And even Justice Sotomayor’s dissent concedes that AR-15s and the like are “commonly available, semiautomatic rifles.” This is directly relevant to FPC’s massive strategic litigation campaign to eliminate bans on so-called “assault weapons.” More information about these cases can be found at FPCLegal.org.

“This decision helps rein in an out-of-control federal government that has no respect for the People of the United States or our rights,” said FPC President and FPCAF Chairman Brandon Combs. “The President cannot change the law to fit his policy preferences and the ATF cannot be turned into his personal gestapo. We fought President Trump’s lawless and unconstitutional actions from day one. And the Supreme Court’s decision today proves we were right all along.”

FPC and FPC Action Foundation filed the first challenge to the bump stock ban in December 2018 in a lawsuit now styled Guedes v. Garland, which made its way to the  Supreme Court in 2019 on an emergency basis but was denied for being in an interlocutory posture. Guedes is now pending order of the Court on the merits (docket no. 22-1222) where it is likely to be granted, reversed, and remanded (“GVR’d”) following today’s decision. Importantly, the Court recently agreed to hear one of FPC’s cases in which it prevailed in the courts below.

FPC and FPCAF congratulate Mr. Cargill, the New Civil Liberties Alliance, and all of the counsel for the petitioner on the significant victory.

Individuals who want to support legal action to eliminate unconstitutional laws can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org or make a tax-deductible donation to the FPC Action Foundation here. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube.

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom.

FPC Action Foundation (FPCActionFoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty through charitable legal action, public policy, education, and research programs.