A busy week in federal firearm policy culminates with the Senate introduction of the SHOT Act on June 12, which would strengthen liability protections for gun dealers and manufacturers. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s term is closing with several pending Second Amendment decisions expected before late June, and a cluster of significant state laws take effect July 1.

Today’s Headlines

• SHOT Act Introduced: Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 15 Republican colleagues introduced the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act on June 12, which would expand PLCAA protections for firearms dealers and manufacturers against civil lawsuits; a companion House bill was introduced by Rep. Derek Schmidt (KS-02). Source: cornyn.senate.gov
• SCOTUS Denies Cert on Felon Disarmament Case: The Supreme Court declined to review United States v. Cockerham, leaving a 5th Circuit ruling in place that the government cannot permanently disarm individuals convicted solely of non-violent, debt-like offenses such as failure to pay child support. Source: thegunmag.com
• Multiple 2A Cases Still Pending at SCOTUS: As of June 11, five relisted Second Amendment cases — including challenges to marijuana-user firearm prohibitions and Hawaii’s concealed-carry law — remain unresolved, with opinions expected before the term closes in late June. Source: constitutioncenter.org
• NFA Tax Stamp Eliminated for Suppressors and SBRs: Effective January 1, 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act set the transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and other non-machinegun NFA items; full Form 4 paperwork, fingerprints, and photographs are still required. Source: nssf.org
• Virginia Assault Firearm Ban Takes Effect July 1: Virginia HB 217/SB 749 bans the future sale, manufacture, transfer, or import of semiautomatic firearms capable of holding more than 15 rounds starting July 1; firearms lawfully owned before that date are grandfathered for possession but face new transfer restrictions. Legal challenges have been filed. Source: orchidadvisors.com
• ATF Drug-User Definition Rule — Comment Deadline Approaching: The ATF’s Interim Final Rule updating the definition of “unlawful user of a controlled substance” for NICS background check purposes has been in effect since January 22; public comments close June 30, 2026. Source: federalregister.gov

What This Means for Gun Owners

FFL dealers should note that Form 4473 modernization is among the 34 rules in the DOJ/ATF regulatory overhaul — electronic forms and auto-population are proposed, which could reduce paperwork errors at point of transfer. Buyers pursuing NFA items should be aware the $0 tax is already in effect but full ATF processing still applies. Virginia-based dealers and buyers have until June 30 to complete any transfers of affected firearms and magazines before the July 1 effective date — though active litigation could result in an injunction.

Key Dates to Watch

• June 30, 2026: ATF public comment deadline on updated drug-user firearm prohibition definition
• Late June 2026: SCOTUS final opinions expected — multiple Second Amendment cases pending
• July 1, 2026: Virginia HB 217/SB 749 assault firearm and magazine ban takes effect (subject to possible injunction)
• July 1, 2026: Colorado permit-to-purchase requirement and ammunition age restrictions take effect
• July 1, 2026: Rhode Island assault weapon ban takes effect

Sources

• cornyn.senate.gov — SHOT Act Introduction
• thegunmag.com — Grassroots Judicial Report, June 10, 2026
• constitutioncenter.org — Second Amendment at the Supreme Court
• nssf.org — One Big Beautiful Bill Act Summary
• orchidadvisors.com — Virginia HB 217/SB 749 Analysis
• federalregister.gov — ATF Interim Final Rule on Drug-User Definition
• justice.gov — DOJ/ATF 34-Rule Regulatory Overhaul

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