California’s firearm laws are facing a major new legal challenge after the U.S. Department of Justice formally filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the state’s newly enacted “Glock Ban” and long-standing Handgun Roster requirements. The lawsuit, filed on July 1, 2026, follows a warning letter sent by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon giving California until June 30 to negotiate or face litigation.
The case could have significant implications for California hunters, sport shooters, and anyone looking to purchase a handgun in the state.
DOJ followed through on its threat
In late June, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta demanding that California:
immediately stop enforcing the challenged laws,
acknowledge they violate the Second Amendment, and
enter into a court-enforceable agreement preventing future enforcement.
California declined to negotiate. On July 1, the Justice Department filed suit in federal court as promised.
What laws are being challenged?
The federal lawsuit targets two major California firearm regulations.
1. California’s “Glock Ban” (AB 1127)
The law, which took effect July 1, prohibits licensed firearm dealers from selling so-called “machinegun-convertible pistols.” While it does not specifically mention Glock by name, the law is widely known as the “Glock Ban” because it affects many Glock-style semiautomatic pistols that California lawmakers argue can be readily converted into fully automatic firearms using illegal “Glock switch” conversion devices.
The law does not make existing ownership illegal. Californians who already legally own affected handguns may keep them, and private-party transfers remain generally allowed under state law. It primarily restricts new retail sales.
2. California’s Handgun Roster
The lawsuit also challenges California’s Unsafe Handgun Act, commonly called the Handgun Roster.
California requires most new handgun models sold by dealers to appear on a state-approved roster after meeting various testing and design requirements. Critics have argued for years that the roster has severely limited the number of new handgun models available to California consumers.
The Justice Department contends these restrictions violate the Second Amendment by preventing Californians from purchasing firearms that are widely available throughout the rest of the country.
What does the DOJ argue?
According to the complaint, California cannot prohibit the sale of otherwise lawful semiautomatic handguns simply because they could potentially be modified illegally.
The DOJ argues that many ordinary firearms can be altered into illegal weapons, but that possibility alone does not justify banning the firearms themselves.
The department is asking the federal court to prevent enforcement of both the Glock Ban and portions of the Handgun Roster.
California vows to defend the laws
California officials have indicated they will vigorously defend the state’s firearm regulations.
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has described the challenged laws as constitutional public safety measures intended to reduce accidental shootings and limit the spread of illegally modified automatic weapons.
Governor Newsom’s administration similarly argues that California’s firearm regulations have helped produce one of the nation’s lowest firearm death rates and are consistent with the state’s authority to regulate public safety.
Why hunters should care
Although much of the public discussion has focused on self-defense handguns, the outcome could affect many California hunters.
Hunters who use handguns for predator hunting, wild pig hunting, backcountry protection, or recreational target shooting could see expanded choices if the DOJ prevails. A ruling against California could also reshape how courts evaluate other firearm restrictions under the Supreme Court’s increasingly protective interpretation of the Second Amendment.
Because the lawsuit also challenges the Handgun Roster—not just AB 1127—the case has the potential to affect handgun availability in California far beyond Glock-style pistols.
The litigation is expected to take months or longer before any final decision is reached.
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