FPC is proud to Bolt Up for Mr. Perryman and the Second Amendment so that he and others can exercise their rights when, where, and how they choose.

LOS ANGELES – NFL veteran Denzel Perryman, a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers, was arrested last night in the Los Angeles area for exercising his constitutionally protected rights, according to TMZ. As reported by the outlet, “the NFL player was picked up by the South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station officers Friday evening and booked on a felony charge of possessing an assault weapon.”

In response, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) noted that California’s ban on so-called ‘assault weapons’ was declared unconstitutional in October 2023 in FPC’s Miller v. Bonta case. However, the district court’s injunction has been stayed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has often used questionable maneuvers to prevent pro–Second Amendment decisions from taking effect.

FPC says that Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman should put an end to the County’s enforcement of the ban. “District Attorney Hochman should dismiss the charges against Mr. Perryman, and everyone else affected by this unconstitutional and immoral law,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “Law enforcement should not be putting people in cages for exercising their fundamental rights. This insanity must end, and it must end now.”

FPC’s Combs, a lifelong Chargers fan, said that FPC stands ready to support Mr. Perryman’s case should he choose to challenge this unconstitutional law. “We’ve fought and won these battles across the country, and we’re ready to do it again. Our constitutional attorneys are eager to step in and defend Mr. Perryman against this injustice. FPC is proud to Bolt Up for Mr. Perryman and the Second Amendment so that he and others can exercise their rights when, where, and how they choose,” Combs said.

In addition to its win against the State of California, FPC successfully secured judgments in federal court against similar laws in Illinois and New Jersey. And in June, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that, “Given that millions of Americans own AR-15s and that a significant majority of the States allow possession of those rifles, petitioners have a strong argument that AR-15s are in ‘common use’ by law-abiding citizens and therefore are protected by the Second Amendment under” the Court’s landmark 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision. Kavanaugh went on to say that “in my view, this Court should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon, in the next Term or two.”

FPC emphasized that Perryman’s arrest is not an isolated case, but one of many. “These unconstitutional bans are putting good people in jail for peaceably exercising their rights. And while Mr. Perryman’s outrageous arrest made headlines, too many others don’t. It’s long past time for the Supreme Court to step in and address this important issue,” FPC’s Combs concluded.

About Firearms Policy Coalition

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) — a 501(c)(4) nonprofit membership organization — exists to create a world of maximal individual liberty, defend constitutional rights, and restore the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. FPC pursues these goals through strategic litigation, legal scholarship, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory advocacy, grassroots activism, education, and outreach. FPC’s legal arm, FPC Law, is the nation’s leading initiative dedicated to restoring the right to keep and bear arms across the United States. To learn more about FPC’s lawsuits and pro–Second Amendment efforts, sign up for FPC news alerts at firearmspolicy.org and follow FPC on X, Instagram, and Facebook.