Summary: Challenge to the federal lifetime ban under the Gun Control Act by non-violent persons

Plaintiffs: Edward A. Williams

Defendants: United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Acting Director Daniel Driscoll, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, and United States of America

Litigation Counsel: Joshua Prince

Docket: E.D. PA case no. 2:17-cv-02641, Third Circuit case no. 24-1091 | CourtListener Docket

Donate & Support Pro-2A Lawsuits & Legal Action!

Key Events & Filings:

Court of Appeals

• 2026-2-11: En Banc Oral Arguments
• 2025-12-18: Supplemental En Banc Brief for Appellants
• 2025-12-18: Second Supplemental Brief of the Appellee
• 2025-10-31: Order Sua Sponte Rehearing En Banc
• 2025-7-21: Oral Arguments
• 2025-6-17: Supplemental Brief for Appellants
• 2025-6-17: Supplemental Brief of the Appellee
• 2025-3-11: Order
• 2025-3-6: Joint Motion to Suspend Supplemental Briefing Schedule
• 2025-2-24: Response to Defendants’ Motion to Postpone Supplemental Briefing Deadline and Place Appeal in Abeyance
• 2025-2-13: Motion to Postpone Supplemental Briefing Deadline and Place Appeal in Abeyance
• 2024-10-17: Order Staying Case
• 2024-10-7: Motion to Place Appeal in Abeyance
• 2024-6-18: Reply Brief for Appellants
• 2024-5-28: Brief of the Appellee
• 2024-3-26: Brief for Appellants

District Court

• 2023-11-14: Opinion
• 2017-6-1: Complaint

News Releases:

• 2024-6-11: FPC Brief: Federal Lifetime Gun Ban is Unconstitutional
• 2023-11-14: Federal Judge Rules For Plaintiff in FPC-Supported Lawsuit that Challenged Lifetime Gun Ban for Non-Violent Misdemeanor Conviction
• 2023-9-25: Motion for Summary Judgment Filed in FPC-Supported Lawsuit Challenging Lifetime Gun Ban for Non-Violent Misdemeanor Conviction
• 2022-7-18: FPC Files En Banc Petition in Appeal Challenging Lifetime Gun Ban for Non-Violent Misdemeanor Conviction
• 2021-6-1: FPC Files Opening Brief in Appeal Challenging Lifetime Gun Ban for Non-Violent Misdemeanor Conviction