SAN DIEGO (April 11, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that its final brief has been filed at the district court in a FPC lawsuit challenging California’s ban on firearm carry by non-residents.
Summary
California law prohibits residents of other states from carrying firearms when visiting the Golden State, either openly or concealed. Despite California having a concealed carry permit system in place, non-residents are prohibited from applying. This is clearly unconstitutional under binding Supreme Court precedent.
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.
What We’re Working to Achieve
Through this lawsuit, we are working to achieve:
- An injunction blocking enforcement of California’s non-resident firearm carry ban.
- A declaratory judgment that the right to bear arms extends throughout the United States, including in California, regardless of which state you live in.
- The ability for peaceable people to travel to California while armed for self-defense and lawful purposes.
Get in the Fight — Support the Case!
Individuals who want to support this case and FPC’s work to eliminate unconstitutional laws across the United States can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org.
Quotes
From the brief: “Bruen has already established that Plaintiffs’ proposed course of conduct— carrying firearms in public for self-defense—is plainly covered by the text of the Second Amendment. Under California law, the only way to do so is to secure a license to carry a concealed weapon. Plaintiffs therefore seek to secure their right to apply for a California CCW license on par with California residents who may apply under the State’s general licensing regime.”
Case Documents
The motion and other case filings in Hoffman v. Bonta can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/hoffman.
Plaintiffs & Counsel
FPC is joined in the litigation by three FPC members, Christopher Hoffman, Chad Orrin, and Jennifer Sensiba.
The plaintiffs are represented by Bradley A. Benbrook and Stephen M. Duvernay of Benbrook Law Group, PC.
FPC thanks FPC Action Foundation for its strategic support of this FPC Law 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.
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