Gun Laws in 2025: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
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With 2025 drawing to a close, it is time to reflect on the progress or lack thereof made in the fight to restore 2nd Amendment rights. There have been some big shifts and maddening inconsistencies. We have seen the government chart new unprecedented territory, while also falling back into some of the same patterns. Thus, is government perhaps and why we can never rely on them.
With that being said, a huge shout out to Firearms Policy Coalition and Gun Owners of America for huge 2A wins in court in 2025. Cases like Estados Unidos v. Smith & Wesson which reaffirmed the PLCAA by the Supreme Court denying Mexico’s lawsuit against Smith & Wesson. Or Firearms Policy Coalition v. Bondi which overturned the prohibition of firearms at the Post Office.
In the state on Minnesota, we saw the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus prevail in overturning MN Statutes 624.714’s prohibiting legal adults 18-20 years old from obtaining Conceal Carry Licenses. Which has resulted in a massive shift in the state and sets up a challenge to the Federal Ban on 18–20-year-olds from purchasing handguns. There are many exciting cases that have gone in our favor this year.
This is all despite the fact that the Supreme Court continues to punt on 2nd Amendment cases post Bruen (2022). There currently are a slew of 2A cases before them that have been rescheduled for conference (as of Dec. 23rd, 2025) that we hope they will at least take up a couple of these cases. When it comes to our 2nd Amendment rights, despite Judge Clarence Thomas stating clearly that it is not a second class right, the Supreme Court has continued to treat it as such.
This bears the question as to where does the Trump Administration fall on the 2nd Amendment? In his first year back in office the Trump Administration has a complicated answer to this question. We have seen Attorney General Pam Bondi issue opinions in support for Federal infringements such as the National Firearms Act. She has also argued in favor of the prohibition on 18–20-year-olds from purchasing handguns.
Time and time again we see AG Bondi and this administration defend Federal Gun Control despite campaign promises to dismantle it. Despite this, however, they have been very aggressive at taking on state, territorial, and district Gun Control. Recently we have seen two major cases filed out of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon Civil Rights Division. The Trump Administration created the 2nd Amendment Division within this DOJ department to attack Gun Control laws on behalf of the U.S. citizens.
While skeptical based on the above failings of the Bondi DOJ, AAG Dhillon has been aggressive in going after Gun Control laws. She started out in September by arguing on our behalf against Illinois Assault Weapons Ban law and has followed it up with lawsuits against Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mrs. Dhillon is taking her job in this new 2nd Amendment Civil Rights division seriously and coming out swinging.
There was some serious questions as to how much power, authority, and more importantly, teeth this new division has. So far they have come out swinging and are making strong arguments to advance 2nd Amendment Rights. We certainly hope this continues. The next piece to all of this is what to expect in 2026?
That is a hard question to answer. As it pertains to congress, since we are headed into an election year the likelihood of anything getting passed one way or the other is slim to none. Unfortunately, typically congressional people will stay far away from anything that evokes strong feelings and will do very little during this cycle.
On the court side is where we can possibly expect the largest movement as it applies to the 2nd Amendment. Several cases percolating through lower courts have a chance to make a huge impact. Even these cases recently filed against the Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. could have an outsized impact. The biggest question mark is what cases, if any, the Supreme Court will decide to take up on review.
Since Bruen, the Supreme Court has been beyond reluctant to take up any 2A cases. They have continued to punt on cases even recently by rescheduling for conference a myriad of cases before them. The biggest gains us gun owners can hope for will once again be reliant on the Supreme Court as lower court cases are only binding in the circuit court in which they are decided. This will be what we here at 2 If By Sea will be watching for.
Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube Channel @2ifbyseatactical and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance.
Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.
