Another California Gun Control Law Ruled Unconstitutional
The Ninth Circuit on Friday delivered a unanimous ruling in Nguyen v. Bonta, overturning the “one-gun-a-month” law as a clear violation of Second Amendment rights.
In a unanimous victory for Second Amendment rights, the Ninth Circuit last Friday struck down California’s “one-gun-a-month” law in Nguyen v. Bonta, declaring it unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s Bruen framework. This landmark ruling affirms that law-abiding citizens can acquire multiple firearms without arbitrary government restrictions.
A Clear Win for Constitutional Rights
The Ninth Circuit’s decision, penned by Judge Danielle J. Forrest and joined by Judges John B. Owens and Bridget S. Bade—two Republican appointees and one Democrat—marks a bipartisan rebuke to California’s overreach. The “one-gun-a-month” law, which barred most people from buying more than one firearm within 30 days, treated gun owners as potential criminals. Applying Bruen’s test, which requires gun laws to align with historical firearm regulation traditions, the court found no precedent from colonial times through Reconstruction for such blanket restrictions. As Forrest wrote, this wasn’t a minor inconvenience—it undermined a core constitutional right, treating it like a rationed privilege. This ruling, building on Heller, McDonald, and Bruen, reinforces that the Second Amendment is not negotiable, setting a precedent for future challenges to restrictive laws nationwide.
Years of Government Overreach
Californians have faced a relentless onslaught of gun control measures, from maze-like regulations to outright bans, as the state sidesteps the Second Amendment. Lawmakers’ refusal to respect this right forces gun owners to seek justice in court. Nguyen v. Bonta proves the judiciary can still uphold freedom when politicians falter, delivering a win for law-abiding citizens who simply want to exercise their constitutional protections.
So, Does It Matter?
This ruling is more than a single victory; it’s a blow to California’s habit of punishing the law-abiding to prevent hypothetical crimes. State officials claimed the “one-gun-a-month” law was needed to stop straw purchases and trafficking, but the Ninth Circuit saw through this pretext. Bruen’s historical test exposed the law’s lack of roots in America’s firearm traditions, affirming that modern fears can’t override constitutional rights. This decision strengthens the Second Amendment’s standing as a fundamental liberty, signaling to other states that similar restrictions may fall. With Bruen reshaping 2A jurisprudence, gun owners can expect more victories as courts scrutinize laws lacking historical grounding.
What Comes Next
California’s track record of crafting new restrictions when old ones are struck down means the fight continues. This victory shows what’s possible when dedicated organizations challenge overreach in court. The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) led the charge in Nguyen v. Bonta, with their legal teams expertly wielding Bruen to dismantle the law. SAF, a 2A defender since 1974, and FPC, known for aggressive litigation, proved their mettle. Our friends at the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) as well as the folks at the Second Amendment Law Center bolstered the case with a strong amicus brief, drawing on their deep expertise. These groups, often at great cost, ensure gun owners’ voices are heard. Protecting liberty demands relentless vigilance - and if you care about your constitutionally protected rights as a gun owner, be glad they are “on the wall” defending our rights.
Three Useful Links
For you legal wonks here is the actual ruling.
And for those of you who, like me, who are grateful for CRPA’s legal work here, go to their website. Contribute to their legal fund, and also join me in becoming a paid member of CRPA! All of these groups deserve support, but I’m proud to support CRPA’s legal efforts.
I am also a member of the Gun Owners of California, another organization fighting for our 2A rights in Sacramento.