Bivens v. Second Amendment Foundation
Cert Denied — Jun 30, 2026No. 24-1329
Pennsylvania's bid to revive its age-21 minimum — the state asked the Court to reverse a ruling that went for gun-rights groups
What happened
Denied June 30, 2026. Unlike most cases here, this petition was filed by Pennsylvania — State Police Commissioner George Bivens — asking the Court to reverse a Third Circuit ruling that struck down the state's age-21 minimum. By denying review, the Court left that pro-gun-rights ruling in place. (Originally docketed as Paris v. Second Amendment Foundation; the petitioner name changed in April 2026.)
What it means going forward
A win for the gun-rights side by denial — the Third Circuit's decision against Pennsylvania's age-21 minimum stands. Because it points the opposite way from the Fourth Circuit's McCoy/WVCDL line, the broader age-restriction question remains split and unresolved nationally.
Key dates
- Jun 30, 2026 Cert denied — Third Circuit ruling left intact
- Nov 2025 Distributed for conference — held alongside McCoy and WVCDL
- Jun 2025 Petition for certiorari filed by Pennsylvania State Police
- Jan 2025 3rd Circuit struck down Pennsylvania's age-21 minimum