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NC: Investigators: Underwood death ruled self-defense; no charges to be filed, officials say
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A man who died after a shooting early Saturday in Winston-Salem was involved in a physical altercation that led to his death, and the incident appears to have been an act of self-defense, police said.

Winston-Salem police officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 5000 block of Kimbrough Street at about 12:53 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026. When officers arrived, they found James Lester Underwood, 46, suffering from a gunshot wound.

EMS took Underwood to a local medical facility, but he died despite lifesaving efforts.

MD: Justice Department sues county over new gun laws
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The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) joined Shapiro in his fight and filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County on August 3.

The DOJ emphasized the 100 yard rule, and expressed disdain on how difficult it is to follow.

The 100-yard exclusion zone makes it practically impossible for individuals in the county to go about their daily business while lawfully carrying a firearm, the DOJ said in a statement. Therefore, the ordinance violates the Supreme Courts recent decision in Wolford v. Lopez, where the Court held a law that bans citizens from carrying firearms into, places that people routinely visit in the course of their daily routines.

Major Gun Ruling Could Spark Chain Reaction Ending At Supreme Court
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When it struck down New Jerseys ban on modern semiautomatic firearms in July, a federal appeals court created a circuit split on an issue in a case the high court has been considering for over a year.

For most of its 2025-2026 term, the Supreme Court debated whether to consider Duncan v. Bonta, a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit challenging Californias ban on standard-capacity magazines that was distributed for consideration 23 times. A circuit split occurs when federal appellate courts differ on how to handle similar cases, and often will be heard by the Supreme Court.

Gun-control groups racking up losses across America Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Gun-control groups have been on a losing streak in court this summer, highlighted by the Supreme Courts decision in Wolford v. Lopez. The most recent defeat came when a United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shot down a suit against Texas filed by Everytown for Gun Safety trying to make it easier to prohibit concealed carry in private businesses.

TX: Texas judge rules that law regulating firearm suppressors and some guns cant be enforced
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A federal judge in Texas on Wednesday struck down a 1930s law that imposed regulations on firearm suppressors and guns that are considered the most dangerous, more than a year after President Donald Trump signed a bill eliminating taxes on those items.

The ruling could allow firearm owners to purchase firearm suppressors known as silencers short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other certain firearms without registration, while also removing a layer of background checks. Last year, Republicans eliminated a $200 tax on those devices under Trumps massive tax and spending cut bill.

LA: Louisiana Lawsuit Exposes the Permit Trap for Young Gun Owners
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A federal lawsuit was just filed against Louisiana over a carry restriction that should never have existed.

The lawsuit, Pool v. Hodges, challenges Louisianas refusal to issue handgun carry permits to otherwise eligible adults under 21. Firearms Policy Coalition filed the case in the Western District of Louisiana and is already seeking summary judgment against the ban.

The issue is simple:18-to-20-year-old adults are part of the People.

Their Second Amendment rights do not magically appear on their 21st birthday.

TX: Judge Takes Sledgehammer To National Firearms Act
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A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the National Firearms Act (NFA) no longer applies to suppressors and other items whose taxes were reduced to $0 in July 2025.

United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas, a Trump appointee, granted a motion for summary judgement from attorneys representing the Silencer Shop Foundation Wednesday. In the 66-page opinion, Hendrix said that because taxes on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other items had been reduced to $0 by legislation signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025, the registration and paperwork imposed by the NFA exceeded Congress authority under the taxation power.

Ed.: Decision is stayed for 7 days.

Congresswoman Introduces Measure To Ensure Freedom To Legally Ship Firearms
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Having a Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate allows pro-freedom lawmakers the leeway to introduce Second Amendment-friendly legislation that will actually be considered and likely voted on.

Such is the case with a new measure introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, who is the co-chair of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus. On July 31, Boebert filed HR 9979, aimed at protecting the right of responsible Americans to lawfully ship firearms via common carriers.

Legal Specialists Preview Upcoming SCOTUS Cases On Assault Weapons Bans
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The U.S. Supreme Court is gearing up to weigh another big Second Amendment issue in its upcoming term a matter legal specialists say will greatly affect Americans constitutional rights.

During a Tuesday Federalist Society forum, Notre Dame Law School Professor Haley Proctor and American Suppressor Association General Counsel Michael Williams offered viewers a sneak preview into whats at stake in Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins. The pair of consolidated cases which deal with the legality of laws banning AR-15s and similar semiautomatic firearms will be heard by the high court in its October 2026 term.

IN: Indiana Prosecutor: Driver Who Killed Unarmed Road Rage Aggressor Acted in Self-Defense, No Charges Filed
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A man on his way to work shot and killed a stranger who followed him bumper to bumper across a county line, got out of his vehicle in a construction zone, and kept advancing on him after repeated warnings to stop. The Hancock County Prosecutors Office has determined the shooting falls under Indianas self-defense law and will not file criminal charges.

The man who died was 37-year-old Kevin Powell of Indianapolis. The shooting happened on the afternoon of July 21, and the account below comes from the findings of the Hancock County Prosecutors Office and from Prosecutor Brent Eaton, as reported by Fox59.

Gun University Seeks the Best of the Best
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Since acquiring Gun University, Bleecker Street Publications has been hard at work expanding one of the industry's most respected educational resources. For years, Gun University has earned the trust of new and experienced shooters alike through in-depth reviews, practical training content and its widely read best buying guides.

That success didn't happen by accident.

We'd like to thank founders Ryan Cleckner and Dave Chesson for building an outstanding foundation. Their commitment to honest evaluations and educational content helped establish Gun University as a trusted resource for firearms owners across the country.

Liberty Ammunition to Attend Sports Inc Show
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Liberty Ammunition, the leading manufacturer of self-defense ammunition is looking forward to the upcoming Sports Inc Show in Nashville, TN.

Gary Ramey, CEO of Liberty Ammunition noted: "Self-defense ammunition is a growing category and also profitable for dealers. Liberty Ammunition has more stopping power and is lighter to carry than any other brand. We look forward to showing Sports Inc dealers our new Liberty SPIKE 2.0 which outperforms all other brands in .380 and 9mm.

NYT Writer Pearl-Clutching About Self-Defense Laws Reveals His Contempt For The Constitution
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The right to self-defense, most prominent in the legal doctrine of standing your ground, is an indisputable constitutional right. This fact, no matter how longstanding and essential to American exceptionalism, elicits much chagrin from The New York Times Mike McIntire, who recently argued that laws making it legally easier to protect yourself and your property are a concerning deviation from history.

Using a Gun to Defend Yourself? The Right to Kill Is Growing, McIntire snivels in his headline.

TX: Judge: Short-Barreled Rifle, Suppressor NFA Registration Scheme Unconstitutional
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas has ruled that the remaining registration scheme for short-barreled rifles and suppressors in the National Firearms Act (NFA) is unconstitutional in Jensen v. ATF, a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF).

Since 1934, the NFA required anyone who wished to purchase certain classes of firearms, including silencers and short-barreled rifles, to pay a $200 tax and register the firearm with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), purportedly drawing from Congressional authority to levy taxes. Through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, however, the tax on these arms was eliminated but the registration requirement...

Second Amendment Advocate Takes Fight to Washington
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The South Shore Press caught up with gun rights advocate Angelo Veltri to see what the former Save Long Island activist has been working on since taking his fight to Washington. Now serving as federal affairs director for the National Association for Gun Rights, the Ridge native is helping shape federal firearms legislation while keeping a close eye on developments in New York.

One of the biggest developments came this week when a federal judge in Texas ruled that portions of the National Firearms Act requiring registration of suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns are unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the tax previously attached to those items.

NC: Case at top NC court tackles felons 2nd Amendment claim
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Eric James Ducker has the states leading gun-rights group, a major civil liberties organization and a prominent libertarian think tank in his corner. North Carolinas sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys and Gov. Josh Stein have lined up against him.

A Buncombe County jury found Ducker guilty in August 2023 of possession of a firearm by a felon. He had been convicted in 2009 of a felony charge of attempted fleeing to elude arrest. He also had been convicted in 2018 of a misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence protective order.

A unanimous bipartisan North Carolina Appeals Court panel upheld the felon gun possession conviction last year. Now Ducker is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn that ruling.

SAF Submits Series of Comment Letters on ATF Proposed Rules
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Across the letters, SAF supported proposals that would ease outdated barriers to non-over-the-counter firearms transactions, restore reasonable time limits on dealer records retention, clarify and strengthen protections for interstate transportation of firearms under the Gun Control Act and Firearm Owners' Protection Act and reduce unnecessary burdens on the interstate movement of National Firearms Act items. SAF also commented on proposed revisions to Form 4473, the definition of "adjudicated as a mental defective," and rules governing selection of biological sex on ATF forms.

Rep. Clyde Urges ATF to Limit Firearm Record Retention and Destroy Illegal Gun Registry
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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In our view, the current practice of indefinite retention of firearm transaction records, and even the proposed retention period of up to 60 years, are excessive and risk infringing on the privacy of lawful gun owners. We therefore urge the ATF to revise this NPRM and instead promulgate a rule establishing a 20-year total retention policy, from the date of sale, for the physical, non-digitized firearm transaction records held by FFLs or the ATF and to provide for the immediate destruction of all such records older than 20 years. Furthermore, we urge the ATF to comply with existing law prohibitions on the recording and digitization of such firearm transaction records, and to immediately destroy any recordings of such records...

What the ATFs proposed gun law reforms actually do
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Several proposals have attracted significant attention, and most coverage has inaccurately portrayed the scope and intent of the rules. The public deserves a clear statement of the facts.

First, much of this package updates rules and procedures that in some cases havent been revised in decades. It also aligns agency practice with recent court decisions. Having clear, updated rules would prevent abusive enforcement practices for example, shutting down legitimate firearms businesses for minor clerical infractions, which occurred during the prior administration and allow ATF to focus attention where it belongs: fighting violent crime.

Ed.: Penned by the ATF Director.

MD: Synagogue, DOJ challenge ban on concealed carry near houses of worship
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Both the U.S. Department of Justice and an Orthodox Jewish synagogue are suing a Maryland county over a new law that bans carrying guns near places of worship. Both plaintiffs cite constitutional concerns and worries about the safety of congregants amid rising antisemitism.

On Monday, the DOJ filed the lawsuit against Montgomery County, Maryland, a heavily populated, Democratic-majority Washington suburb, over the newly enacted Expedited Bill 23-26.

The DOJ says the law violates the Second Amendment by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from possessing firearms in daily life, adding that Bill 23-26 prohibits carrying firearms at thousands of locations, and also creates an arbitrary 100-yard exclusion zone around each location.

TX: Federal Court Rules Key National Firearms Act Restrictions Are Unconstitutional in GOA Lawsuit
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Gun Owners of America (GOA) and fellow plaintiffs scored a major win today. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that key National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) restrictions are unconstitutional for untaxed firearms and permanently blocked the ATF from enforcing them against the plaintiffs, their members, and their customers.

The lawsuit was brought by GOA, Gun Owners Foundation, Silencer Shop Foundation, Palmetto State Armory, SilencerCo, B&T USA, the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, individual plaintiff Brady Wetz, and a coalition of 15 pro-gun states: Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia...

CA: SAF Files Motion For Preliminary Injunction In CA Glock Ban Lawsuit
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta, its case now challenging Californias Glock ban in addition to Californias Handgun Roster.

In October last year, lawmakers in California passed Assembly Bill 1127, which expanded the already unconstitutional Unsafe Handgun Act (UHA), stating that on July 1, 2026 licensed firearms dealers shall not sell, offer for sale, exchange, give, transfer, or deliver any semiautomatic machinegun-convertible pistol.

CA: California Banned Glock Sales on July 1. On August 4, SAF, NRA and FPC Filed to Stop It
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A coalition of gun owners, retailers and Second Amendment organizations asked a federal judge on August 4, 2026, to block Californias ban on the commercial sale of Glock and Glock-style pistols, and the judge has set a hearing for September 4.

The motion for a preliminary injunction was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California under case number 20-cv-2190-DMS-DEB, with Lana Rae Renna as the first-named plaintiff. The defendants are California Attorney General Robert Bonta and Allison Mendoza, director of the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms.

IL: Illinois Judge Rules Foster and Daycare Homes Are Sensitive Places
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A federal judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Springfield Division, ruled without trial that foster homes and in-home daycare centers are sensitive areas and that guns can be regulated in these private residences.

The case, Miller v. Mueller (18-cv-3085), challenged the Illinois Day Care Home Rule (89 Ill. Admin. Code § 406.8(a)(17)(18)) and Foster Home Rule (related provisions under 89 Ill. Admin. Code § 402). The Day Care Home Rule prohibited handguns in any home that offers home daycare (with limited exceptions for peace officers or certain employment-required possession by residents). Other firearms must be kept disassembled, unloaded, and in locked storage inaccessible to children.