By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Trump Administration: Kash Patel, Director of the FBI and Acting Director of BATFE has officially repealed ATF’s tyrannical “Zero Tolerance” Policy; Marvin Richardson, the deputy director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has been dismissed under President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s administration; The U.S. Senate approved John Sauer as Solicitor General; NSSF Reports: A recent article from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that the economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States has increased significantly, rising from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $91.36 billion in 2024, a 379% increase; CRPA v. Los Angeles Sheriff: April 8, CRPA filed a motion to stay the Ninth Circuit’s mandate, which would otherwise reverse a protective order from Judge Roger Benitez, criminalizing possession of these magazines; California: AB1092, passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee; Colorado: SB25-003, creating a permit to purchase banned semi-automatic firearms, was signed by Governor Jared Polis; Connecticut: The Joint Judiciary Committee passed two anti-Second Amendment bills out of committee on April 7;Florida: bills are moving; Georgia: The legislature adjourned; Hawaii: On March 28, 2025, theHouse passed SB401; Maine: hunting bills are moving; Kansas: On April 7, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB137 and the legislature adjourned; Montana: The Senate is scheduled to hear HB809, preventing localities from enacting “red flag” laws this week; West Virginia: HB2067 and HB3342 are on their way to Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Trump Administration
Kash Patel, FBI director and now former-Acting Director of BATFE, has officially repealed ATF’s tyrannical “Zero Tolerance” Policy. This policy was used to unlawfully shut down hundreds of gun stores and build an illegal, digital registry of out-of-business records. A review of two more of Biden’s anti-Second Amendment administrative rules was issued: the first on the status of braced pistols under the NFA and the second on the requirements that decide when a gun seller must become an FFL to sell guns legally.
BATFE Leadership
Marvin Richardson has been dismissed as deputy director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s administration. Known for supporting gun control measures, such as restrictions on pistol braces and privately manufactured firearms, many Second Amendment advocates view Richardson’s departure as an opportunity to appoint more Second Amendment supporters at the ATF.
The U.S. Senate approved John Sauer as Solicitor General.
John Sauer was confirmed in a 52-45 vote on April 7, as the Solicitor General of the United States. The Solicitor General oversees all government litigation, deciding and implementing the administration’s strategy in pursuing cases that primarily go before SCOTUS. He holds a significant position in the federal government and is highly respected within the judicial branch. The United States Supreme Court pays close attention to the Solicitor General.
As Mark W. Smith explains in his latest video, the Solicitor General is ultimately responsible for making strategic decisions regarding litigation, legal strategy, and legal theory related to the cases presented to SCOTUS on behalf of the government. He is often referred to as the 10th justice. Lawyers and others involved in the American judicial system view the Solicitor General as a vital cog in the operation of the Department of Justice.
Sauer is an exceptional lawyer. He is a former federal prosecutor and served as the Solicitor General of Missouri. He also clerked for former Justice Antonin Scalia, the ultimate originalist and author of Heller.
He successfully represented Donald Trump and was the lawyer who argued in the U.S. Supreme Court against Jack Smith, the former special prosecutor appointed by Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland. He won that case and established President Trump’s presidential immunity from many of the events associated with January 6. That argument was a significant victory that curtailed Jack Smith’s inquiries during the summer of 2024, just before the election.
A recent article from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that the economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States has increased significantly, rising from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $91.36 billion in 2024, a 379% increase. The article published on April 8, 2025, highlights that this growth reflects a year-over-year rise from $90.05 billion in 2023. The industry also supports over 385,335 full-time equivalent jobs, up from approximately 166,000 in 2008, marking a 132% increase. NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi emphasizes the industry’s strength and contribution to local economies, with average wages and benefits reaching $68,300 in 2024. Since 2008, federal business tax payments have surged by 364%, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes for wildlife conservation by 173%, and state business taxes by 224%. The article underscores the industry’s role in providing high-quality firearms and ammunition for lawful ownership and recreational shooting, meeting the demands of law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.
CRPA v. Los Angeles Sheriff
In Duncan v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit upheld California’s ban on large-capacity magazines (holding over 10 rounds) in a 7-4 en banc decision on March 20, deeming it constitutional under the Second Amendment. The California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), led by Chuck Michel, is fighting to preserve the legal status of magazines acquired before the ban and during “Freedom Week” (a 2019 period when the ban was briefly lifted). On April 8, CRPA filed a motion to stay the Ninth Circuit’s mandate, which would otherwise reverse a protective order from Judge Benitez, criminalizing possession of these magazines. The State did not oppose, and on April 10, the stay was granted, ensuring temporary protection for owners until the U.S. Supreme Court acts on CRPA’s upcoming cert petition.
We believe that CRPA aims to appeal to SCOTUS, hoping for a reversal of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling. The outcome may hinge on other Second Amendment cases, like Snope v. Maryland (AR-15 ban). A favorable Snope ruling could bolster Duncan, but if SCOTUS declines Snope, Duncan’s chances may weaken. SCOTUS could also issue a summary reversal without a full review. Check out our Grassroots Judicial review posted every Wednesday.
A report by the Network Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University’s Social Perception Lab highlights growing tolerance for political violence, particularly among left-leaning groups in the U.S. It points to increased normalization of violence targeting figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, especially after the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on Trump. The piece suggests this trend reflects a broader surge in advocacy for political violence on the Left, building on earlier findings from December 2024 about social media narratives legitimizing such actions.
All 50 state legislatures are in session in 2025
Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming have adjourned.
California: AB1092, a bill to Extend the duration of a concealed carry firearms permit from two years to three years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, and from three years to four years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, failed passage in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 1 but was reconsidered on April 8 and passed it on a 7-1 vote.
Colorado: SB25-003, creating a permit to purchase banned semi-automatic firearms, was signed by Governor Polis in an invitation-only ceremony for gun control groups on April 10. SB25-1238: Restricting gun show vendors and organizers, and SB25-1133: Adding age restrictions for ammunition purchases are going to Governor Jared Polis, who has 10 days to take action. Let him know you want him to veto these bills! Call Governor Polis’ office at (303) 866-2471 or email Governorpolis@state.co.us by signing the Colorado State Shooting Association Petition. The Senate passed SB25-205, requiring state FFLs to request a firearm serial check on any potential sale.
Connecticut: The Joint Judiciary Committee passed two bills out of committee on April 7. HB7042 targets firearms industry members with “reasonable controls.” The passage of this bill will severely limit where law-abiding gun owners can do business. HB7194 clarifies where the discharge of firearms can occur in the case of lawful defense of a person. It will also allow persons who already legally possess “high capacity magazines” and/or “assault weapons” to transfer them to other persons who already legally possess such items.
Florida: The Florida legislature will adjourn by the end of April. On March 26, the House passed HB759, 68-34 but it needs to be taken up in the Senate. This bill lowers the minimum age for purchase of a firearm to 18. On March 28, Monique Miller @RepMoniqueM posted this on X.com: “I just got word that my first bill will be heard on the House floor this Thursday. HB 6025 will protect Floridians’ 2nd Amendment rights in emergencies. Thank you to the Florida @NRA & @GunOwners for supporting this legislation. I look forward to its passage.”
HB6025 is now eligible for a House vote, and its companion bill, SB952, is also before the Senate Rules Committee.
Georgia: The legislature adjourned.
Hawaii: On March 28, theHouse passed SB401. It now heads back to the Senate floor for a concurrence vote.
Idaho: The legislature adjourned.
Illinois: SB8, a Safe Gun Storage bill, is on Third Reading in the Senate on April 4 with several floor amendments added. This bill expands state requirements for firearm storage and increases penalties if not reported within 5 days.
Kansas: On April 7, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB137, allowing seized and forfeited firearms to be sold to FFL dealers, and HB2053, allowing provisional right-to-carry licenses to be upgraded to standard licenses when the licensee turns 21. On April 11, the legislature adjourned.
Kentucky: The legislature adjourned.
Maine: The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will hold public hearings on three hunting bills of interest: LD1322, encourages Maine to begin a 2-year pilot program to encourage youth participation in hunting; LD1364, a bill to study the use of lead-based ammunition; and LD1343, clarifying the definition of “harvest to include hunting, fishing and trapping. According to NRA-ILA Maine hunters and gun owners have become more active in the political process.
Maryland: The legislature adjourned.
Montana: The Senate is scheduled to hear HB809, preventing localities from enacting “red flag” laws this week.
North Carolina: The House Judiciary Committee reported favorably on HB193. It now goes to the House Committee on Education. This bill allows those with a right to carry permit to carry on educational property owned by a private school.
Oklahoma: Hearings on pro-gun bills held this week:
South Dakota: The legislature adjourned.
South Carolina: H.3930, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Bill, has passed the House.
Texas: SB1065, prohibiting lessees of publicly owned property from restricting firearms on such property, was scheduled for a hearing before the Senate State Affairs Committee.
West Virginia: HB2067, protecting firearms industry companies and personnel from being held liable for third-party misuse of firearms, and HB3342, which would prohibit public entities from entering into contracts with businesses that do not certify they do not discriminate against firearms businesses, are on their way to Governor Patrick Morrisey.
