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The question is pretty simple… So, does it matter?
Another Court Win For California’s Gun Rights; Another Loss for A.G. Bonta
The Ninth Circuit’s ruling blocks AB 2571 entirely, protecting free speech and responsible firearm culture.
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🕒 2 Minute Read
Great News from CRPA
I just received awesome news from the California Rifle and Pistol Association, of which I am a proud member, and I want to share it with you! This morning the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals completely struck down AB 2571, the California law that banned marketing firearms in a way that “appeals to minors.” This ruling protects free speech and responsible gun ownership throughout the state.
Preserving Youth Programs
AB 2571 was an apparent attempt to suppress youth shooting sports and related culture by banning any marketing, promotion, or communication that could be seen as encouraging minors to participate in shooting activities responsibly. The court’s decision restores the right to teach and promote safe, supervised firearm use to future generations.
A Constitutional Win
In Junior Sports Magazines, Inc. v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit ruled that AB 2571 is unconstitutional in its entirety. The court stated, “The state may not selectively burden otherwise-lawful speech to protect privacy.”
This reverses the earlier partial injunction and protects publications like Junior Shooters from Sacramento’s overreach.
A Poorly Intended and Poorly Written Law
The State of California claimed the law protected minors from gun violence, but the court found no meaningful evidence that marketing to youth contributed to illegal activity. Even more concerning was how vaguely the law was written, chilling otherwise lawful speech and exposing countless industry groups to risk. This ruling draws a hard line against Sacramento’s aggressive regulatory overreach.
Strengthening Our Freedoms
This is a victory for both the First and Second Amendments. It allows organizations like CRPA to continue promoting lawful, responsible gun ownership without government censorship. With the law now blocked, we can move forward in a more open, constitutionally sound environment.
What Lies Ahead
The Ninth Circuit’s decision reinstates the full preliminary injunction, halting AB 2571’s enforcement while the case returns to district court for final judgment. California may push back, but the legal precedent is clear and strong. Supporting CRPA ensures we continue to fight for our freedoms—and win.
Protecting Our Rights Is Not Free
Check out the CRPA’s website. Join (like me), or make a donation. The volunteer President of the organization, Chuck Michel, donates his time and his firm massively discounts their rates (God bless). But while they operate on donated funds, our opponents in Sacrament go after us using our own taxpayer money!
For the Legal Nerds
In its ruling this morning in Junior Sports Magazines, Inc. v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit clarified that its earlier 2023 decision applied to all provisions of AB 2571, including the part that regulates the use of minors’ data. Tha panel concluded the law was overbroad and unconstitutional.
Read the ruling from the court, issued this morning, here.
(I am a gun owner myself, and will always include updates on 2A news when I can on this page. A gentle reminder, I am not an attorney, so hopefully I more or less got all of this correct!)
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