Since the Bruen Decision, We’ve Had a Raft of Gun Law Challenges; Inside is an Important Summary of 2025 Second Amendment Rulings

From the Classroom 
By Ray Hill Professor Emeritus Santa Rosa Junior College  

U.S. Constitution – Second Amendment  

The landmark decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022) 587 U.S.1 has opened a range of litigation on the constitutionality of federal and state gun laws. The Bruen court ruled that existing statutes regulating firearms must be consistent with the historical and traditional interpretation of the Second Amendment. Here is a summary of the 2025 appellate rulings covering the Second Amendment reported by Legal Updates: 

(As always, many thanks to our Second Amendment “mentor,” Bob Phillips, for his original authorship and keeping us “legally updated” in this area. LUPC Ref. #s are noted if further reference is needed. There will be appellate follow up on some of these cases, so stay tuned.) 

U.S. Supreme Court Rules Ghost Guns Must Bear a Serial Number (29180 P.C.): Ghost guns or “undetectable firearms” (“build it yourself” kits with precursor firearm parts) must be embedded with a serial number in the same way as any other gun. This is accomplished by application and assignment by the California Department of Justice. Bonda v. Vanderstok (3/25) 2025 U.S. LEXIS 1260, LUPC Ref.#10041 

Is California’s Ban on Large Capacity Magazines Constitutional  (32310© P.C.): A federal District Court upheld the legality of California’s statute prohibiting large capacity magazines (greater than 10 rounds). The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, not accessories. A three-judge panel of the 9USCA upheld the District Court ruling. Note: This ruling is stayed pending a hearing of the en banc 11-judge circuit. In the meantime, California’s ban on large capacity magazines remains in effect. © 2026 Legal Updates, LLC.
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