Firearm Laws & Litigation Articles - USA Carry

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A comprehensive firearm bill that enhances carry rights for correctional probation officers and expands waiting period exemptions for certain firearm purchasers, including military servicemembers, has been officially enrolled and is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

House Bill 383, titled “Purchase and Possession of Firearms by Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, Correctional Probation Officers, and Servicemembers,” passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature with strong bipartisan support. The House approved the bill in a 111-0 vote, while the Senate followed with a 33-3 vote. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, pending the governor’s approval.<...

ELIZABETH CITY, NC — A tragic shooting at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) during the school’s annual Viking Fest left one person dead and several others injured. The incident occurred early Sunday near the center of campus, prompting a lockdown and emergency response from multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet released details about the suspect.

Shortly after the shooting, The Chronicle published an article titled “Shooting at HBCU as lawmakers consider ending concealed carry permits”, attempting to tie the criminal act to North Carolina’s pending constitutional carry legislation. This framing is dee...

SACRAMENTO, CA — California lawmakers are advancing a controversial new bill, SB 704, that would treat firearm barrels like complete firearms, requiring all sales and transfers to go through a licensed dealer with a background check. The legislation, introduced by Senator Jesse Arreguín (D), is the latest in a series of proposals that expand regulatory control over individual gun parts — this time targeting components that have never been considered firearms on their own.

Under SB 704, beginning July 1, 2026, firearm barrels could no longer be sold or transferred privately or online without going through a licensed firearms dealer. The bill would...

EMPORIA, KS — The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that Bass Pro Outdoor World and Beretta U.S.A. are immune from a product-liability lawsuit filed by Marquise Johnson, who was accidentally shot by a friend attempting to disassemble a Beretta handgun inside a vehicle.

The case, Johnson v. Bass Pro Outdoor World, involved a 2018 incident where André Lewis, believing a pistol could not fire without a magazine, pulled the trigger to disassemble his Beretta APX while sitting in a parked car. The handgun, which had a live round chambered, discharged and struck Johnson in the legs, leading to a...

CHARLESTON, WV — Governor Patrick Morrisey signed into law three major bills aimed at strengthening protections for the firearms industry and reinforcing Second Amendment rights in West Virginia. The legislation, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, addresses negligent marketing claims, prohibits discrimination against firearm businesses by financial institutions, and protects firearms rights during declared emergencies.

House Bill 2067, known as the West Virginia Firearms Marketing Clarification Act, limits the ability to bring negligent marketing lawsuits against firearm manufacturers and sellers. Under the new law, claims can only proceed if specific, strict criteria are met, such as direct targeting of prohibited pers...

BISMARCK, ND — On April 23rd, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1588 into law, enacting several significant enhancements to the state’s firearm carry and self-defense laws.

House Bill 1588, sponsored by Representative Ben Koppelman, revises a number of existing statutes concerning concealed carry and possession of firearms at public gatherings. One of the major changes eliminates the obligation for individuals carrying a concealed firearm without a permit to proactively inform law enforcement officers during in-person interactions, such as traffic stops, unless the officer specifically inquires about it.

The new law also reduces the penalty for...

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Arkansas has taken a major step toward expanding protections for gun owners, with lawmakers approving a constitutional amendment that strengthens the right to keep and bear arms across the state. Senate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR11), led by Sen. Justin Payton and Rep. Wade Duffield, has passed both legislative chambers and was officially approved by the Governor on April 22, 2025.

The next step? Voters will decide its fate in the upcoming November 2026 general election.

What SJR11 Actually Does

SJR11 is a proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that aims to make the state’s gun right...

HELENA, MT — Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has issued a bold invitation to firearms manufacturers in Colorado following the passage of a sweeping new gun control law. In a video posted to social media platform X, Gianforte extended a public call for gun makers to relocate to Montana, criticizing Colorado’s latest firearm restrictions as out of step with American values.

“Do you want to move back to America?” Gianforte asked, referring to Colorado’s newly enacted law banning the manufacture and sale of semi-automatic firearms—a move he called “one of the most restrictive gun bans ever adopted in the...

LOS ANGELES, CA — As of April 23, 2025, California has officially opened its concealed carry permit application process to nonresidents. This change follows legal action brought by the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) in CRPA v. LASD, which successfully challenged the state’s longstanding refusal to allow nonresidents to apply for a California concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit.

The ruling does not establish reciprocity—California still does not recognize permits issued by other states—but it does mandate that nonresidents must be given the opportunity to apply for a California CCW permit under specific guidelines.

Several counties have already...

DES MOINES, IA — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has officially signed House File 924 into law, lowering the minimum age to acquire or carry a weapon in the state from 21 to 18. The law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2025, represents a significant expansion of firearm rights for young adults in Iowa.

HF 924 originated as House Study Bill 262 and moved quickly through the legislative process. It was introduced in the House Judiciary Committee on February 27, 2025, received subcommittee approval on March 4, passed the full committee with a 17-4 vote on March 6, and was approved by the full House in a 60-34 vote on...