Justice Department Sues California to Halt Glock Ban

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against California to halt the state's newly enacted Glock Ban. The lawsuit also seeks to prevent enforcement of the state's "Handgun Roster" - a list limiting legal firearms that individuals may purchase. The United States challenges both as unlawful under the Second Amendment.

"The Second Amendment is a sacred right belonging to all Americans, even those in California. California cannot ban the most popular type of handgun in America," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "We will work to stop this blatant trampling of our rights by the California government to protect the rights of lawful gun owners."

"The Civil Rights Division will defend law-abiding citizens from states that seek to disarm them illegally," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "This lawsuit is yet another example of this Justice Department enforcing the Second Amendment by protecting citizens against unconstitutional state regulation of firearms."

California's new law would ban the retail purchase of common handguns manufactured by Glock and guns with similar firing mechanisms. The state's existing "Handgun Roster" further limits the types of handguns citizens can lawfully purchase in California. The United States Supreme Court recently reaffirmed that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to carry handguns outside the home for self-defense in Wolford v. Lopez. The Court reiterated that states cannot prevent citizens from using commonly used firearms for self-defense.

The Civil Rights Division's Second Amendment Section enforces the Second Amendment. If you believe your right to keep and bear arms is being infringed, please submit a complaint through https://www.justice.gov/crt/second-amendment-section.