Firearm Laws & Litigation Articles - USA Carry

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — In a unified move to support Second Amendment rights, 24 state attorneys general, led by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey, have formally urged Congress to pass H.R. 38, the “Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.” The letter, dated May 21, 2025, was addressed to House and Senate leadership and outlines strong support for nationwide concealed carry reciprocity for law-abiding citizens.

The letter argues that the measure respects state sovereignty while protecting constitutional liberties. H.R. 38 would allow individuals permitted to carry concealed handguns in their home state to do so in any other state that allows concealed carry, without violating local laws. The bill applies strictly to law-abiding citizens and explicitly excludes individuals prohibited from firearm possession under federal law, including felons, domestic abusers, and those with adjudicated mental illness.

The attorneys general refuted several common criticisms of the bill. Contrary to claims that the bill infringes on state rights, the letter clarifies that H.R. 38 does not override any state’s authority to set its own concealed carry issuance criteria, designate off-limits areas, or regulate the conduct of armed individuals. It also permits private property owners to ban firearms if they choose.

In addressing concerns from law enforcement, the officials pointed out that constitutional and permitless carry are already in effect in the majority of states. They cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s Terry v. Ohio decision as evidence that officers retain the authority to investigate suspicious behavior by armed individuals, ensuring public safety remains intact.

Another major point addressed was the disparity in licensing standards among states. The letter argued that some states deliberately obstruct lawful carry through excessive fees and long wait times, rather than using those processes to screen for dangerous individuals. The attorneys general cited examples in New York and Los Angeles, where past corruption and federal investigations undermined claims of superior safety screening.

Ultimately, the group argued that H.R. 38 would enhance public safety by ensuring that responsible citizens are not criminalized for legally carrying across state lines. “Criminals do not wait for permission to carry guns,” the letter states. “H.R. 38 is not for them. It is for honest and law-abiding citizens who deserve to have the means to protect themselves.”

The letter concludes with a call to action for Congress to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and ensure consistent legal protections nationwide.

The attorneys general who signed the letter represent Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, in addition to Oklahoma and West Virginia.

By championing H.R. 38, these attorneys general are reinforcing a central Second Amendment principle: the right to self-defense should not vanish at state borders. Reciprocity would protect lawful carriers from inadvertently breaking unfamiliar laws while traveling, without sacrificing local control over gun safety standards. Ensuring consistency in how rights are recognized across states aligns with the Constitution and provides peace of mind to responsible gun owners nationwide.

Read the original story: 24 Attorneys General Unite and Demand Congress Pass National Concealed Carry Law

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week that a new reciprocity agreement has been finalized with Virginia, officially allowing Virginia concealed carry permit holders to lawfully carry in Pennsylvania. While Virginia has long honored all valid out-of-state concealed carry permits—including Pennsylvania’s—Pennsylvania had not previously recognized Virginia permits, creating a one-way arrangement that this agreement now corrects.

The agreement, reached in cooperation with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, makes Virginia the 30th state with which Pennsylvania holds a mutual concealed carry reciprocity agreement.

“Shortly after taking office, I asked my staff to review opportunities to maximize reciprocity agreements with willing states, and ensure all existing and future agreements protect and respect standing law and constitutional rights,” AG Sunday stated. “Our research of law in both states revealed nothing conflicting that would disallow permit holders to carry in both states.”

Pennsylvania’s legal team initiated contact with the Virginia State Police in early April to renew and update the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) outlining “mutual recognition of a license to carry a firearm issued by the Commonwealth and a license or permit to carry a firearm issued by another state.”

Under the agreement, concealed carry license holders from both states are permitted to carry a concealed handgun on their person or in their vehicle while visiting the other state, so long as they meet the following criteria:

The agreement applies specifically to handguns.

This move represents a step forward for lawful gun owners and ensures that responsible Virginians traveling to Pennsylvania are now equally protected under the law. It also underscores the continued efforts by pro-2A officials to expand lawful carry rights across state lines.

At USACarry.com, our Concealed Carry Reciprocity Maps have already been updated to reflect this change. These maps are essential tools for staying informed on where your permit is honored, helping concealed carriers remain compliant and confident as they travel.

While Virginia had long done its part in respecting out-of-state permits, Pennsylvania’s decision to reciprocate ensures a more balanced and fair treatment of lawful concealed carriers. This agreement is a welcome correction to a previously lopsided arrangement and a strong win for Second Amendment rights.

Read the original story: Concealed Carry Expanded: PA and VA Finalize Firearm Reciprocity Agreement

If you’ve seen the viral clip floating around where Indiana State Representative Jim Lucas says “I’m carrying right now,” you’ve probably also seen the meltdown that followed. Headlines screamed about him “brandishing” a firearm in front of students. Social media exploded with outrage. And, as always, the anti-gun crowd clipped the moment out of context to make it look like a threat.

But here’s what really happened.

On January 30th, 2024, Rep. Lucas was having a calm, face-to-face conversation with high school students from Burris Laboratory School in Muncie. The students were at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis for a “Students Demand Action” event — a group that advocates for more gun control.

The discussion? Civil. Respectful. Honest. Lucas was engaging with the students, not berating them. He was answering questions — and when asked if he carried a firearm, he replied simply and factually: “I’m carrying right now.” He then briefly revealed the legally holstered handgun on his hip — no threats, no escalation, no drama.

Except, of course, in the minds of people who want it to be dramatic.

Because facts don’t trend — outrage does. That’s why the internet clipped the moment and ran with a narrative: “He threatened children.” The full video, which we’ve embedded above, tells a completely different story.

One of the most powerful lines in the exchange?

“People who want to kill you don’t care about your feelings.”

That’s not bravado. That’s the hard truth.

Lucas wasn’t there to intimidate students. He was there to tell them something they might not hear in an echo chamber: bad guys exist. Gun laws don’t stop them. And being armed — trained and prepared — isn’t about ego. It’s about survival.

And if that makes someone feel uncomfortable? Well… that’s kind of the point.

Let’s talk legal definitions for a second.

Under federal law, “brandishing” means displaying a firearm in a threatening or intimidating manner. It’s about intent — waving it around or using it to scare someone. Indiana law doesn’t even use the word “brandishing,” but it does prohibit pointing a firearm at someone, which Lucas clearly didn’t do.

(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term “brandish” means, with respect to a firearm, to display all or part of the firearm, or otherwise make the presence of the firearm known to another person, in order to intimidate that person, regardless of whether the firearm is directly visible to that person.

He simply opened his jacket to reveal a legally carried, holstered handgun. No threats. No pointing. No coercion. Source: 18 USC § 924(c)(4)

This entire incident is the perfect example of how Second Amendment supporters are mischaracterized every day. Context gets erased. Nuance gets ignored. Legal, responsible carry gets painted as “dangerous,” while actual violence — committed by criminals who don’t follow laws — somehow gets less scrutiny.

So watch the full clip. Share it. So the next time someone throws around the word “brandishing,” remind them what it actually means — a threatening or aggressive display of a firearm. What happened here? Not even close.

Read the original story: “People That Want To Kill You Don’t Care About Your Feelings”

RALEIGH, NC — Senate Bill 50, titled Freedom to Carry NC, continues to advance in the North Carolina House. On June 3, 2025, the bill was reported favorably and re-referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee after narrowly clearing the House Judiciary 2 Committee earlier that day by a 6–5 vote.

The legislation would allow law-abiding U.S. citizens 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without a permit, while preserving the existing concealed handgun permit system for those who want it for reciprocity or personal preference. The bill also increases penalties for certain firearm-related crimes and establishes a scholarship fund for children of first responders who are killed or disabled in the line of duty.

During the committee hearing, supporters pointed to longstanding efforts to bring constitutional carry to the state. Rep. Carson Smith (R-Pender) stated, “I appreciate y’all bringing this before us, and there’s been a willingness in the House for the past several years to make this happen.” Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson), one of the bill’s sponsors, explained that, “a lot of things change around here from session to session… we believe now that this is necessary to get this done,” according to reporting by The Carolina Journal.

Opposition to the bill remains strong, particularly among Democrats who voiced concerns over public safety. Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover) said, “I don’t understand why in the world we would do this… For the life of me, I don’t understand it, and I certainly cannot support the bill.”

The bill has drawn support from gun rights organizations like Grass Roots NC, while groups advocating for stricter gun control, such as Moms Demand Action, continue to oppose the measure.

Constitutional carry simply recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves without being forced to obtain government permission to exercise a constitutional right. With 29 other states already enacting similar laws, North Carolina would be aligning itself with the majority of the country. Criminals, by nature, do not follow permitting requirements, leaving law-abiding citizens at a disadvantage when forced to navigate unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles. This bill removes that barrier for responsible gun owners while maintaining strong penalties for those who misuse firearms.

Governor Josh Stein has indicated he is likely to veto the bill if it reaches his desk. Speaking to reporters, Stein said, “My standard reviewing any piece of legislation is, will this make us safer? If it doesn’t make us safer – and the previous version certainly did not – I cannot support it,” The Carolina Journal reported.

Contrary to Governor Stein’s concerns, this bill would enhance public safety by allowing more law-abiding citizens to carry concealed and be prepared to defend themselves and others if faced with a threat. When responsible individuals are armed, it serves as a deterrent to criminals who prefer unarmed victims. Expanding legal concealed carry ensures that more citizens have the ability to respond immediately in dangerous situations, rather than waiting for law enforcement to arrive.

Senate Bill 50 now awaits consideration in the House Rules Committee. If it clears that stage, it will move to the House floor for two additional votes. After passing the House, the bill would head to Governor Stein for final consideration.

Overriding a potential veto will be challenging. Senate Republicans hold a supermajority, but House Republicans are one seat short. Any override effort will require full attendance and some bipartisan support to meet the required three-fifths majority in both chambers.

If ultimately enacted, the law would take effect December 1, 2025, making North Carolina the 30th state to adopt constitutional carry.

Read the original story: North Carolina’s ‘Freedom to Carry NC’ Bill Advances in House, Faces Possible Veto

WASHINGTON, DC — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced a major policy shift on Friday, rolling back its controversial “zero-tolerance” stance toward Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) during compliance inspections. The updated national policy aims to promote fairness, consistency, and a renewed emphasis on public safety while respecting the rights of lawful gun dealers.

Replacing the 2021 Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement policy, the new guidance instructs ATF investigators to use discretion in evaluating inspection results, distinguishing between clerical errors and willful misconduct. This marks a significant departure from the prior policy, which critics say often led to license revocations over minor mistakes.

“This update is about getting it right and making sure we’re focused on public safety,” said ATF Acting Director Daniel Driscoll. “Under the previous policy, some licensees were being penalized for simple mistakes such as forgetting to put their license number on forms. This new guidance gives our investigators the discretion to tell the difference between an honest mistake and a real threat to public safety.”

Under the revised policy, investigators are instructed to consider mitigating factors such as self-reporting, corrective actions taken by the licensee, and overall compliance history. Rather than an automatic revocation for any violation, the policy now provides a framework that includes education, warnings, or administrative action only when appropriate.

Key changes include:

The update underscores a more balanced approach to industry oversight, reflecting a shift toward partnering with rather than penalizing responsible dealers. ATF maintains that its inspections remain a crucial tool in preventing illegal firearms trafficking by identifying patterns of concern such as straw purchases and missing inventory.

This policy adjustment appears to be a step toward restoring trust between federal regulators and the lawful gun industry. For many FFLs, the previous enforcement approach created uncertainty and fear of losing their livelihood over what were often administrative oversights.

The change affirms that law-abiding gun dealers are not adversaries, but allies in the broader mission of enhancing public safety and protecting constitutional rights.

Read the original story: FFLs Can Make an Honest Mistake Now: ATF Replaces Biden’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a historic and tightly contested vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1—the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—by a single vote, 215-214. Included in the bill is the full removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating the $200 tax and federal registration process that have long restricted suppressor ownership in the United States.

The provision, based on Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, removes suppressors from the NFA’s definition of a firearm, and sets the transfer and making tax at $0. If signed into law, this change would make suppressors available through the standard NICS background check system—no more tax stamps, no more ATF registration, and no more months-long wait times.

Final House Vote Breakdown:

Every Yea vote came from Republican lawmakers. Democrats voted in unanimous opposition. Two Republicans broke ranks and voted Nay, one voted “Present,” and another did not vote—making the narrow victory possible by just a one-vote margin.

Gun rights groups hailed the vote as a landmark win. The American Suppressor Association (ASA) called it a “HUGE WIN for suppressors, 2A rights, and freedom!!” Gun Owners of America (GOA) also applauded the outcome, crediting Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) for championing the effort in the House and securing its inclusion via the reconciliation process.

“Eliminating the suppressor registration and tax is a major step forward for liberty and safety,” said Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA. “Gun owners have one less unconstitutional hurdle to worry about—but we’re not done.”

The National Rifle Association (NRA) echoed the sentiment, calling it a “monumental victory for Second Amendment rights.”

Short-Barreled Firearms Still in NFA

Despite the success with suppressors, GOA is urging lawmakers not to stop there. The organization is calling on the Senate to add provisions from the SHORT Act to repeal NFA restrictions on short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and brace-equipped pistols—firearms still heavily regulated under current federal law.

“Now, GOA is calling on the Senate to also protect short-barreled firearms,” said Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs. “The elimination of suppressor taxes and registration is massive—but the job’s not finished.”

What’s Next?

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where it can pass through the budget reconciliation process with a simple majority of 51 votes. Advocates are urging gun owners to immediately contact their senators and demand the suppressor repeal stay intact—and that SBR deregulation be added.

The American Suppressor Association has launched a resource to help:

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, this would be the most significant rollback of federal gun regulations since the NFA was enacted in 1934. The clock is ticking, and continued grassroots pressure is essential to carry this win across the finish line.

Read the original story: House Passes Removing Suppressors from NFA by One Vote in 215-214 Decision, Urge Senate to Finish the Job

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A critical federal effort is underway to stop credit card companies and financial institutions from tracking lawful firearm and ammunition purchases using merchant category codes (MCCs) that single out gun retailers. Senate Bill 1715 and its House companion, H.R. 1181, known as the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, would prohibit the use of a firearm retailer-specific MCC — a system already exposed as a tool for backdoor surveillance of gun owners.

Introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), this legislation aims to ensure that Second Amendment rights are not quietly undermined by anti-gun activists leveraging financial infrastructure to monitor or deny lawful transactions. Both bills would make it illegal for payment card networks and processors to assign or require these targeted codes, which are currently used to categorize businesses for transaction tracking.

NSSF, the firearm industry’s trade association, praised the legislation, warning that MCCs have “already proven to be exploited by the federal government for political purposes and denying lawful credit card transactions.” Lawrence Keane, NSSF’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, called the MCC policy an “Orwellian antigun scheme” and lauded Senator Hagerty for standing up to both government overreach and financial institutions trying to act as gatekeepers of constitutionally protected rights.

“Gun control proponents… have already admitted the use of a firearm retailer-specific Merchant Category Code is intended to monitor and approve or deny firearm and ammunition purchases,” said Keane. “No American should be concerned that banks or the federal government are employing this scheme to monitor the exercise of their Second Amendment rights.”

Senator Hagerty’s bill has already earned the support of 16 Senate co-sponsors, while Rep. Moore’s House version has gathered backing from over 100 lawmakers. The legislative push builds on a wave of state-level action — 20 states have now enacted laws banning firearm-specific MCCs, including Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, just three states — California, Colorado, and New York — have passed laws mandating the use of these invasive tracking codes.

This clear disparity across state lines has already led major card companies — including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — to pause implementation of the firearm-specific MCCs, citing legal uncertainty and widespread opposition. Visa directly acknowledged that the backlash from states created “significant confusion” in the payments ecosystem.

And for good reason.

The MCC system cannot actually identify what was purchased — only where a purchase occurred. As Visa’s CEO pointed out, there is no way to distinguish between someone buying a rifle and someone buying camping gear at the same store. The code’s true purpose is not crime prevention, but rather political control and the gradual normalization of surveillance over a lawful and constitutionally protected industry.

Proponents of these federal bills understand exactly what’s at stake. Allowing credit card companies to monitor purchases at gun shops under the guise of safety is nothing more than a workaround to build unofficial watchlists and pressure banks into denying services to lawful firearm retailers and customers. These codes do not deter crime — they create a chilling effect on the exercise of rights.

With the introduction of the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act in both chambers, and a President who has pledged to defend the Second Amendment now in the White House, the opportunity has never been better to lock in federal protections that stop these codes from ever taking root.

The states have led — now it’s time for Congress to finish the job. These bills should be passed without delay to ensure that law-abiding Americans are not tracked, flagged, or targeted simply for exercising their constitutional rights.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act is now under review in congressional committees:

To move forward, each bill will need to:

Gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are encouraged to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to express strong support for these bills. With broad grassroots backing and the momentum already established by 20 states, now is the time to ensure that this legislation reaches the President’s desk.

Read the original story: Credit Card Tracking of Gun Purchases Faces Federal Ban in New Pro-2A Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Governor Kevin Stitt signed HB 2818 into law on May 15, 2025, officially enacting a sweeping update to Oklahoma’s self-defense and firearms statutes. Authored by Rep. Jay Steagall, the measure passed both chambers with broad support — 73-16 in the House and 39-7 in the Senate.

The new law clarifies that pointing a firearm is not unlawful when done in lawful self-defense or in defense of one’s home or business. Prior to this bill, citizens who displayed or pointed a firearm — even without firing — risked criminal penalties, including misdemeanor or felony charges.

HB 2818 removes administrative fines and handgun license revocations previously tied to such acts when carried out in a defensive context. The law also formally recognizes the “defensive display” of a firearm, which includes verbal warnings, exposing the weapon, or placing a hand on it, provided there’s a reasonable belief of an immediate threat.

Significantly, the law strengthens Oklahoma’s Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine provisions. It expands the list of protected locations to include places of business and worship and presumes that the use of defensive force is justified during an unlawful and forcible entry or attempted forcible felony. It further provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits for lawful defensive force.

The law still prohibits using force during unlawful activities or as provocation, and it emphasizes that immunity applies only when the use of force is legally justified.

HB 2818 reaffirms Oklahoma’s commitment to the rights of responsible gun owners. By clarifying legal boundaries and protecting defensive actions from prosecution, it provides essential peace of mind to citizens prepared to defend themselves or others in the face of imminent danger.

Read the original story: It’s Official: Oklahoma Law Now Protects Defensive Display of Firearms

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gun Owners of America (GOA) is calling out the House Ways and Means Committee for what it sees as a weak and disappointing move on suppressor reform, saying lawmakers missed a clear chance to roll back unconstitutional gun control.

The new language, included in a broader tax package, would reduce the $200 federal tax on suppressors to zero. However, the process to own a suppressor under the National Firearms Act (NFA)—which includes federal registration, paperwork, and waiting for government approval—would remain in place.

GOA had been pushing for full deregulation of suppressors. That means no tax, no registration, and no NFA process at all. The group says this kind of full repeal was possible using a legislative tool called budget reconciliation.

Reconciliation allows Congress to pass laws that affect taxes and spending with just a simple majority in the Senate—51 votes—instead of the usual 60 votes needed to break a filibuster, which is when senators block a bill by dragging out debate. GOA says lawmakers could have used this tool to remove the tax and the registration requirement, but chose not to.

“This isn’t a compromise, it’s a betrayal,” said Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA. “The House Ways and Means Committee chose to leave unconstitutional registration and taxes in place even though they had a clear path to repeal them. GOA made it crystal clear that full deregulation of suppressors and protection for brace owners was achievable under reconciliation. Lawmakers knew it, and they chose political convenience over principle. Gun owners won’t forget this.”

The current proposal also keeps the $200 tax in place for most other NFA items like short-barreled rifles and introduces a new $5 tax for certain others. GOA says this change doesn’t fix the core issue: the federal government’s continued control and tracking of law-abiding gun owners through NFA regulations.

“Congress has a clear path to dismantle the National Firearms Act through budget reconciliation because it is a $200 tax—plain and simple,” said Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs. “Republicans have no excuse to not gut this unconstitutional law to the fullest extent the Senate Parliamentarian allows; anything less is cowardice and a direct compromise on our Second Amendment rights.”

While dropping the suppressor tax to $0 may sound like a win at first glance, GOA argues that the continued requirement to register and seek government approval makes the change largely symbolic. For gun owners, the fight is not just about the money—it’s about eliminating the red tape and government oversight that comes with NFA regulations.

GOA, which represents over two million members and activists, says it will keep pushing for the full repeal of all NFA taxes and registration requirements.

Read the original story: GOA Slams House Committee for Betrayal Over Suppressor Tax ‘Compromise’

DES MOINES, IA — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 106 into law on May 6, 2025, authorizing the lawful possession of loaded firearms while operating or riding snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) under specific conditions.

Previously, Iowa law required that firearms transported on snowmobiles or ATVs be unloaded and stored in a carrying case. SF 106 removes those restrictions, now permitting the carry of a loaded firearm—whether concealed or not—when on land that the person owns, possesses, or rents, provided the individual’s conduct is otherwise lawful. Additionally, the law allows for the carry of a loaded pistol or revolver, even on land not owned or controlled by the person, again provided the activity remains lawful.

The bill also maintains the prohibition on discharging a firearm from a moving snowmobile or ATV. However, nonambulatory individuals are allowed to discharge a firearm from a stationary snowmobile or ATV while lawfully hunting.

Key provisions of SF 106 include:

The legislation passed both chambers with strong majorities: 93-3 in the House and 42-8 in the Senate.

This new law aligns Iowa with other states that have similarly modernized their firearm transportation laws to reflect responsible gun ownership and to support hunters and rural residents who rely on off-road vehicles.

This change is a win for lawful gun owners, particularly those in rural areas who often travel their own property by ATV or snowmobile. By eliminating unnecessary restrictions, Iowa’s legislature has taken a step toward recognizing the practicality of carrying a loaded firearm while off-roading, particularly for self-defense in remote areas. The law strikes a balance by keeping discharge prohibitions intact except for nonambulatory hunters, maintaining safety while affirming Second Amendment rights.

Read the original story: New Iowa Law Lets Gun Owners Carry Loaded Firearms on Off-Road Vehicles, ATVs and Snowmobiles Without a Permit