Supreme Court of the United States

Second Amendment Case Tracker

Plain-language updates on gun rights cases before the Supreme Court

Last updated: October 27, 2026Cases tracked: 21Court term: 2026–2027

Beyond the Court3

Not Supreme Court cases — but federal agency actions and lower-court rulings with broad impact that people following these cases will want to know about.

ATF Stops Enforcing NFA Registration for Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs & AOWs

In Effect Nationwide

Federal agency action · Oct 9, 2026

Do you still need ATF approval and federal registration to buy or make a suppressor or short-barreled rifle?

ATF announced October 9, 2026 that it will no longer enforce NFA approval or registration for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs nationwide, after a Texas federal court ruling the Justice Department declined to appeal.

What a ruling could mean

  • If the policy stays in place: ATF won't enforce NFA approval or registration for these items, though federal background checks and state bans still apply.
  • If enforcement resumes: ATF warns that items acquired without registration would not be automatically protected.
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Third Circuit Narrows the Federal Felon Gun Ban

Circuit Ruling

U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit (full court) · Oct 13, 2026

Can the federal government permanently disarm everyone with a felony conviction, no matter what the crime was?

Two same-day en banc decisions: the federal felon gun ban can't be applied to a man with two early-2000s DUI convictions, but the conviction was upheld where the prior offense was terroristic threats.

What a ruling could mean

  • If no one seeks further review: The rulings stand in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands, where courts now ask whether a prior offense signals a risk of violence.
  • If the Justice Department or another party asks the Supreme Court to step in: The Court could finally decide whether the federal felon ban can apply to people with nonviolent convictions, where the circuits are split.
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Federal Judge Strikes Down New York's Body Armor Sales Ban

Ruling Paused 14 Days

Heeter v. James · U.S. District Court, W.D.N.Y. · Oct 21, 2026

Is body armor an "arm" protected by the Second Amendment?

A federal judge held body armor is covered by the Second Amendment and permanently enjoined New York's sale and purchase restrictions, then paused the order for 14 days so the state can seek appellate review.

What a ruling could mean

  • If the ruling takes effect after the 14-day pause: New York could no longer enforce its ban on selling or buying body armor to people outside eligible professions.
  • If New York appeals and gets the ruling paused or reversed: The sales ban stays enforceable while the appeal plays out.
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