Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California’s ‘One-Gun-Per-Month’ Law

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has officially overturned California’s “one-gun-a-month” restriction, issuing a mandate Thursday that makes the court’s earlier ruling enforceable.

The case, Nguyen v. Bonta, was brought by the Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, two federally licensed firearms dealers, and six private citizens, including Michelle Nguyen.

Under the overturned law, most California residents were prohibited from purchasing more than one handgun or semi-automatic centerfire rifle from a licensed dealer within any 30-day period. Supporters of the challenge argued the measure unfairly restricted law-abiding citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment.

The August 14 mandate follows a June 20, 2025, decision by a three-judge Ninth Circuit panel that affirmed a lower court ruling against the restriction. Writing for the majority, Judge Danielle Forrest stated:

“California’s law is facially unconstitutional because possession of multiple firearms and the ability to acquire firearms through purchase without meaningful constraints are protected by the Second Amendment and California’s law is not supported by our nation’s tradition of firearms regulation.”

The decision marks the first time the Ninth Circuit has issued a final judgment striking down a law under the Second Amendment, according to the Firearms Policy Coalition.

With the mandate now in effect, California’s one-gun-per-month purchasing limit is no longer enforceable.

Today, FPC announced that the Ninth Circuit has issued its mandate in FPC’s victory over California’s "one-gun-per-month" gun ban law, making it the first time the Circuit has issued a final judgment striking down a law under the Second Amendment. https://t.co/rETVHA7Jyo

— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) August 14, 2025