Second Amendment

Virginia Prosecutors in Four Counties Say They Won’t Bring Charges Under New “Assault Weapons” Ban

My Right To Carry News Team

May 28, 2026

Several elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys in Virginia are publicly signaling they do not intend to pursue criminal cases under the state’s new “assault weapons” restrictions once the measures begin. Their announcements come ahead of the July 1, 2026 effective date for the legislation.

The prosecutors involved represent at least four counties: Spotsylvania, Powhatan, Pulaski, and Smyth. Each has stated that their offices will decline to prosecute alleged violations tied to the new ban, framing the decision as an exercise of prosecutorial discretion rather than a lack of awareness about what the new statutes will require.

The laws at the center of the dispute are SB 749 and HB 217. According to the prosecutors’ statements, they expect that when these laws take effect, charges submitted under those provisions will be rejected by their offices, meaning cases would not move forward in their jurisdictions based on those statutes alone.

In explaining their position, the prosecutors have pointed to what they describe as the superior authority of the Second Amendment. They argue that constitutional protections for keeping and bearing arms outweigh the state’s new restrictions, and they cite that belief as a central reason for refusing to file or pursue prosecutions under the coming ban.

This emerging standoff sets up a significant conflict inside Virginia’s criminal-justice system, as enforcement of a statewide firearms policy may vary depending on local prosecutorial decisions. With the start date of July 1, 2026 approaching, the gap between state lawmakers’ intent and local prosecutors’ willingness to enforce the ban is becoming a major point of contention.
Tell President Trump to Pardon Tate Adamiak

My Right To Carry News Team

May 28, 2026

A new call-to-action is urging supporters of gun rights to contact President Donald Trump and ask him to grant a pardon to Tate Adamiak. The appeal is being circulated as a standalone message focused on one request: presidential clemency for Adamiak.

The campaign is framed as a direct outreach effort to the White House, encouraging people to make their views known to the president. Its central point is that a pardon would be an appropriate remedy in Adamiak’s case, and it asks readers to press that request with President Trump.

The message is being shared through Gun Owners of America’s public communications, including a post on the organization’s website. The headline and theme are centered on the same instruction—tell President Trump to pardon Tate Adamiak—highlighting the organization’s emphasis on immediate public engagement.

Gun Owners of America is distributing the alert through its online channels, including its RSS feed, as part of what appears to be a time-sensitive advocacy push. The item presents the pardon request as the main objective, without branching into unrelated policy debates.

Supporters who agree with the appeal are being asked to take action by communicating their support for a pardon directly to President Trump. The underlying approach is straightforward: mobilize grassroots pressure in favor of clemency for Tate Adamiak.
Gun Rights Groups Sue Maryland After SB 334 Targets Glock-Style Handguns

My Right To Carry News Team

May 27, 2026

National gun rights organizations moved quickly to court after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed Senate Bill 334, launching a federal civil rights lawsuit against state officials. The challenge was filed immediately following the bill’s enactment, signaling that opponents intend to fight the new restrictions well before they begin to be enforced.

At the center of the dispute is SB 334’s treatment of common semiautomatic pistols, particularly Glock handguns and similar striker-fired designs. The law uses a legal category described as “machine-gun-convertible pistols,” and, under that classification, it sweeps in nearly all Glock models along with comparable firearms.

The practical effect of the measure is a broad prohibition on key parts of the lawful market for these handguns in Maryland. As written, the statute blocks the sale, manufacture, and transfer of the covered pistols within the state, creating a statewide barrier affecting routine commerce and ownership changes that would otherwise occur legally.

Supporters of the lawsuit argue that the state is attempting to restrict widely owned firearms by redefining them under a label that implies automatic-fire capability. From a constitutional, limited-government perspective, the move is seen as a step toward banning commonly chosen self-defense tools rather than targeting criminal misuse.

Although the bill is already signed, its effective date is set for January 1, 2027. That timeline sets the stage for a prolonged court fight, with the plaintiffs seeking to stop the law before it takes effect and Maryland preparing to defend a statute that would reshape which handguns can be legally sold or transferred in the state.
Eighth Circuit Rejects Lawsuit Over Minnesota’s Gun Permit Reciprocity Limits

My Right To Carry News Team

May 27, 2026

A federal appeals court has declined to revive a legal challenge aimed at forcing Minnesota to honor more out-of-state handgun carry permits, leaving the state’s current reciprocity boundaries in place. The ruling means Minnesota can continue refusing to recognize certain permits issued elsewhere without being found in violation of the Second Amendment.

The decision came from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which dismissed the case rather than sending it forward for further litigation. With that dismissal, Minnesota’s existing approach to recognizing permits from other states remains intact.

At the center of the dispute was Minnesota’s policy of accepting some outside carry permits while not recognizing others. The plaintiffs argued that the Second Amendment should prevent the state from denying validity to certain permits held by nonresidents or issued under other states’ standards.

The appellate court did not adopt that theory. By concluding the lawsuit could not proceed, the court effectively accepted that Minnesota’s continued refusal to honor particular carry permits is not, by itself, a constitutional violation under the Second Amendment.

For gun owners and advocates of nationwide carry recognition, the outcome underscores how much discretion states still have in setting reciprocity rules, even after major Second Amendment decisions in recent years. Unless a different court reaches a contrary conclusion or lawmakers change the rules, Minnesota’s selective recognition of out-of-state carry permits will continue.
Best Beginner Concealed Carry Handgun: How to Choose a Safe, Reliable First Pistol

My Right To Carry News Team

May 27, 2026

Choosing a first concealed-carry handgun is less about chasing a trend and more about picking a tool you can operate confidently, carry responsibly, and practice with regularly. For new gun owners, the goal is straightforward: find a pistol that works every time, is comfortable enough to keep on you, and is manageable to shoot so training doesn’t become a frustrating chore.

Reliability should sit at the top of the list. A carry gun is meant to function when you need it, and beginners are best served by a dependable pistol that runs consistently with quality ammunition and basic maintenance. Alongside that, a beginner-friendly option is one that you can handle well at the range—something controllable in recoil and easy to manipulate—because consistent practice is what builds safe habits and competent marksmanship.

Safety and day-to-day carry considerations matter just as much as how the gun performs on the firing line. A pistol that is simple to carry securely and safely will be easier to integrate into your routine, which is the entire point of concealed carry. The best option for a new carrier is one that supports careful handling, encourages ongoing training, and fits a responsible approach to personal defense and self-reliance.

Rather than treating “best” as a single model, the practical approach is to focus on what makes a handgun appropriate for a beginner: a proven track record, shootability that supports learning, and a design you can carry with confidence. If the gun is uncomfortable, difficult to control, or intimidating to operate, many people will avoid practice or stop carrying altogether—both outcomes undermine the purpose of owning it.

Ultimately, the right concealed-carry handgun for a beginner is the one you can safely manage, comfortably conceal, and commit to training with over time. A clear-eyed selection process—prioritizing reliability, ease of shooting, and safe carry—helps new gun owners make a responsible choice while reinforcing the principle that personal protection is an individual right best exercised with competence and discipline.
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Pressed to Advance Constitutional Carry and Reinforce Statewide Firearms Preemption

My Right To Carry News Team

May 25, 2026

Gun-rights advocates in Pennsylvania are urging state lawmakers to move quickly on a package of priorities they say would protect lawful gun owners from shifting local rules and political backlash. The focus is on advancing “constitutional carry,” tightening statewide preemption of local gun regulations, and blocking what supporters describe as retaliatory restrictions aimed at discouraging firearms ownership and carry.

Supporters of constitutional carry argue that peaceable adults should not be required to obtain a government-issued permit to carry a firearm for self-defense. They contend that permitting systems can create unnecessary delays and costs for people who have done nothing wrong, while doing little to deter criminals who ignore the law. From this perspective, the aim is to treat the right to carry as a fundamental liberty rather than a privilege dependent on administrative approval.

At the same time, advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of Pennsylvania’s preemption framework, which is intended to keep firearm rules consistent statewide rather than allowing a patchwork of local ordinances. They warn that when cities or municipalities attempt to set their own gun rules, lawful residents can be put at risk of inadvertently violating unfamiliar regulations while traveling, working, or visiting family across county and city lines. In their view, uniform statewide standards are essential to protect due process and prevent selective enforcement.

The campaign also highlights opposition to what it characterizes as retaliatory gun control—new restrictions introduced in response to political pressure or as a punishment for pro-Second Amendment legislative efforts. Gun-rights supporters argue that such measures are often framed as public-safety initiatives but function in practice to burden compliant citizens, not violent offenders. They are asking legislators to stop any proposals they believe are designed to chill lawful ownership, purchase, or carry rather than target criminal misuse.

Advocates are directing their attention to the General Assembly and pressing elected officials to prioritize these issues in upcoming legislative action. They emphasize the importance of moving bills forward, strengthening preemption protections, and ensuring that local governments cannot impose rules that conflict with state law. For supporters, the broader goal is to secure robust protections for the right to keep and bear arms throughout Pennsylvania and prevent local or political maneuvers from narrowing that right.
Colorado Issues First Guidance on Its New Semi-Auto Firearm Restriction Framework

My Right To Carry News Team

May 24, 2026

Colorado lawmakers moved away from the familiar “assault weapon” ban model and adopted a different method for regulating AR-15-style rifles and other semi-automatic firearms. That shift has left gun owners, dealers, and policymakers trying to determine how broad the new system will be once it is fully in effect.

A central uncertainty has been scope: which firearms will be captured by the new restrictions, and how many commonly owned models could end up covered. With the effective date approaching, the practical question has become less about labels and more about how the state intends to apply the rules in real-world transactions.

The state has now provided an initial signal of how it interprets its own framework. While early in implementation, this first public answer is significant because it begins to define the boundaries of a regulatory approach that is designed to reach beyond the usual statutory wording used in past “assault weapon” debates.

From a conservative and libertarian perspective, that kind of open-ended uncertainty is itself a policy problem. When rules are not clearly defined from the start, ordinary people are left guessing about compliance, and lawful commerce can be chilled even before enforcement begins. For gun owners and small businesses, clarity is not a luxury; it is the baseline for due process and predictable treatment under the law.

As Colorado’s semi-auto restriction regime moves closer to its start date, the state’s first guidance will likely shape how residents evaluate what they can buy, keep, or transfer under the new system. The next phases will determine whether this “novel approach” ends up functioning as a narrowly tailored policy or a wide-reaching net that affects far more firearms than many expect.
Support Efforts to Repeal the Hughes Amendment and Restore Rights for Law-Abiding Americans

My Right To Carry News Team

May 23, 2026

A long-standing federal restriction continues to shape what law-abiding Americans can legally own, even when they fully comply with background checks and other requirements. Supporters of the Second Amendment point to the Hughes Amendment as a central reason the supply of transferable, lawfully owned machine guns has been frozen for decades, driving scarcity and cost while doing little to address criminal misuse. The focus of current activism is straightforward: remove the federal prohibition created by that amendment.

The Hughes Amendment is commonly discussed as the 1986 change that barred civilians from acquiring newly manufactured machine guns for civilian possession, leaving only previously registered firearms eligible for transfer under the existing National Firearms Act system. That framework did not eliminate regulation; it limited what could be added to the legal registry going forward. As a result, only machine guns already in the registry before the cutoff can be transferred to qualified buyers, and that fixed pool has shaped the market ever since.

Second Amendment advocates argue that the restriction punishes compliance rather than crime. They contend that Americans who can pass the required federal background check, submit fingerprints and photographs when required, pay the applicable tax, and wait through the approval process should not face a categorical ban on newly manufactured transferable firearms. From a liberty-oriented perspective, the issue is less about expanding government processes and more about removing a blanket prohibition that applies to people who are already choosing the legal route.

The latest calls to action emphasize public involvement. Gun-rights supporters are encouraging readers and members to engage elected officials, keep informed on federal legislation, and back organizations that are working to overturn the Hughes Amendment. In this view, political pressure matters because Congress created the prohibition and Congress can undo it, but lawmakers typically move only when constituents make the issue unavoidable.

Advocates also stress that repealing the Hughes Amendment would not erase the existing regulatory structure for NFA items; it would change what can be registered and transferred in the future. They present the effort as a step toward aligning federal law with constitutional protections while treating responsible citizens as citizens, not suspects. For supporters, the goal is to restore the ability of qualified Americans to purchase newly made, legally registered machine guns under the same regulated process that already governs NFA transfers.
Midterms Near, Polls Suggest Gun Policy Isn’t Driving Most Voters

My Right To Carry News Team

May 22, 2026

With the midterm elections drawing closer, the political conversation is intensifying across the country. Yet available indicators suggest that debates over firearms are not near the top of what most voters say is guiding their choices as Election Day approaches.

The latest discussion around voter priorities points to a familiar pattern in national politics: many people focus first on issues they feel most directly in their daily lives, while niche or lower-salience topics receive less attention. In that context, gun policy appears to be registering as a secondary concern for a broad share of the electorate, even as advocacy groups and political professionals continue to treat it as a perennial flashpoint.

That doesn’t mean firearm legislation has disappeared from public life. Rather, the current environment suggests that, for many voters, it is not the decisive factor shaping midterm preferences. Candidates may still stake out clear positions, and interest groups will still press them, but the issue is not showing the same broad voter urgency that drives top-tier campaign messaging.

For readers coming from a conservative or libertarian perspective, this lower level of public emphasis can be interpreted in a practical way. When voters are not prioritizing gun politics, it often creates more room to argue for core civil-liberties principles—such as individual rights and limited government—without campaigns being dominated by emotionally charged, reactive debates that tend to produce sweeping policy proposals.

As the midterms get closer, the overall takeaway is straightforward: while gun politics remain a constant part of America’s policy landscape, current signals indicate they are not commanding widespread voter attention in the same way as other concerns. The coming months will show whether that changes, but for now, firearms policy appears to sit well below the most motivating issues for many voters heading into the election.
GOA Backs Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Proposal to Repeal the Machine Gun Tax

My Right To Carry News Team

May 21, 2026

Gun Owners of America has announced its support for legislation introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert that would remove the federal tax applied to automatic weapons. The organization’s endorsement centers on eliminating the existing tax burden that applies to these firearms under current federal law.

Boebert’s measure targets the tax requirement tied to automatic weapons and would end that specific federal charge if enacted. The proposal has drawn attention within Second Amendment advocacy circles as a direct change to how the federal government treats these firearms.

In its statement backing the bill, Gun Owners of America framed the issue as one of protecting constitutional rights and reducing federal barriers. From a limited-government perspective, the group’s position reflects a broader argument that lawful gun ownership should not be conditioned on special federal taxation.

The endorsement also highlights how national gun-rights organizations are prioritizing legislative efforts that address not only bans and regulations, but also cost-based restrictions. Supporters typically view these taxes as a policy tool that can discourage ownership through financial pressure rather than through an outright prohibition.

For now, the development is the introduction of the bill and GOA’s public support for it, setting the stage for continued debate in Congress over whether the tax on automatic weapons should remain in place or be repealed.