The Second Amendment Law Center applauds the Ninth Circuit's ruling granting a full injunction in Junior Sports Magazines v. Bonta, a case challenging California's blanket prohibition against advertising firearms or firearm-related products or events that “might appeal to minors”. The law was an effort by anti-gun owner politicians to wipe out youth shooting sports as part of their larger effort to eliminate the “gun culture” that they despise..
The California Rifle & Pistol Association, Junior Sports Magazine, Second Amendment Foundation, The CRPA Foundation, and Gun Owners of California, among others, brought the case immediately upon passage of AB 2571 back in 2022. The bill was one of a slate of gun control laws supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom in the aftermath of the decision in Bruen.
The most recent ruling from Ninth Circuit marks the second time the court has struck down the law, this time in its entirety. After that first win, the State sought en banc review, and not one judge voted to take the case up to that level. Then the state’s lawyers tried to argue that the previous injunction only blocked parts of the law from taking effect so most youth sport program promotions were still illegal. .
Now the case goes back to the trial court to have the injunction put into effect, and where CRPA will seek a final judgment ending this unconstitutional law once and for all.
This is a great win, especially in the Ninth Circuit…but the State may not give up yet. And you KNOW there’s always a new gun control idea coming out of the Golden State! Help us fight!