Thursday, July 3, 2025

FPC WIN: Federal Judge Rules California’s Non-Resident Carry Ban Unconstitutional in Summary Judgment Order

Tuesday afternoon, Federal District Court Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo issued an order granting final summary judgment to Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and its co-plaintiffs, three individual members of the organization who reside outside of California, in Hoffman v. Bonta, FPC’s Second Amendment challenge to the State’s ban on firearm carry by non-residents.

“This important judgment means that people must maintain their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms when they cross California’s border. Just as people are free to speak or worship in states they don’t reside in, this win makes clear they are likewise free to bear arms for lawful purposes throughout the United States,” explained FPC President Brandon Combs. “Unlike Louisiana, which recently repealed their unconstitutional residency requirement following an FPC legal challenge, California’s commitment to tyranny forced us to take this case to a final judgment. FPC will continue to eliminate unconstitutional residency requirements and other bans so that people can exercise their rights when, where, and how they choose.”

This FPC victory and others like it are especially important because the only way that most people can lawfully carry within 1,000 feet of schools is to possess a valid carry license issued by the exact state in which the person is carrying.

Today’s Hoffman judgment adds to FPC’s win column against the Golden State, including the first-ever trial judgment against a ban on so-called “assault weapons” as well as the recent Ninth Circuit victory affirming a trial court ruling that struck down California’s “1-in-30” gun purchase ban.

Individuals who want to support this victory and FPC’s work to eliminate unconstitutional laws throughout the United States can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org.

The opinion in Hoffman v. Bonta can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/hoffman. The Hoffman case is part of FPC’s high-impact strategic litigation program, FPC Law, aimed at eliminating immoral laws and creating a world of maximal liberty. FPC thanks FPC Action Foundation for its strategic support of this case.

About FPC

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. We work to achieve our strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs. Our FPC Law program is the nation’s preeminent legal action initiative focused on restoring the right to keep and bear arms throughout the United States. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, follow FPC on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Firearms Policy Coalition

E: media@fpchq.org

P: (916) 378-5785