Guest Editorial Matt Coffey – Second Amendment Foundation VP of Communications
For more than 50 years, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has fought to defend, secure and restore our Second Amendment rights. From the landmark Supreme Court victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago to triumphs in state and local courthouses all over the country, SAF has scored countless wins over our 50-year history. Perhaps most notably, SAF’s win in McDonald was a critical step in the fight against modern gun control, as it allowed for the first time for federal action against states and municipalities for violating the Second Amendment. Through aggressive litigation, we have successfully challenged onerous gun laws across the nation, dismantling impediments to the right to keep and bear arms for all Americans.
Just this month, SAF secured a monumental preliminary injunction win in California, allowing residents of other states to exercise their right to bear arms in California by applying for a non-resident carry permit. The injunction was issued on Jan. 23 by the United States District Court for the Central District of California and will take effect 90 days from that date.
The case, CRPA v. LASD, was initiated back in December 2023 to vindicate the Second Amendment rights of anyone who resides outside California but finds themselves visiting the state. SAF’s position all along has been simple: Your rights under the federal constitution do not cease to exist within California.
As the result of SAF’s victory, California will now be required to accept permit applications from any individual outside the state who is a member of SAF or its partner organizations in the case and who is not prohibited from possessing firearms. SAF is joined in the case by the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Gun Owners of California, and several private citizens.
To date, SAF has been involved in more than 260 cases and currently has more than 55 active lawsuits across the country. In 2024 alone, SAF celebrated victories in two cases and 13 procedural wins in the Second Amendment legal arena, all with the same goal in mind – to defend, secure and restore the right to keep and bear arms.
With what we all hope is a more Second Amendment friendly administration in the Executive Branch, now more than ever is the time to push hard for the restoration of our rights. SAF is uniquely poised to wield its 50 years of experience and modern tactics to combat decades of gun control.
If you would like more information on how you can become a SAF member, or to learn more about the organization, visit SAF.org and join us in the fight!
