Two landmark Supreme Court decisions — on concealed carry at private businesses and the federal drug-user gun ban — could drop any day before the Court’s end-of-term. Meanwhile, the ATF’s sweeping 34-rule reform package is in its final weeks of public comment, with changes that would directly affect how firearm transfers are processed and documented.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS — Wolford v. Lopez (Private Property Carry): A ruling is expected before June 30 on whether Hawaii — and by extension California and other states — may prohibit licensed concealed carry on private property open to the public unless the owner posts explicit permission. Oral argument signaled a majority skeptical of the restriction. Source: scotusblog.com
• SCOTUS — United States v. Hemani (Drug User Gun Ban): Also expected before June 30, this case asks whether the federal prohibition on firearm possession by habitual drug users withstands Second Amendment scrutiny. The outcome will interact directly with ATF’s recently revised “unlawful user” definition. Source: scotusblog.com
• ATF Mega-Rulemaking — 34 Rules, Comment Period Closes June 28: The DOJ/ATF package announced April 29 proposes modernizing Form 4473, authorizing electronic FFL recordkeeping, extending NICS check validity, and shifting the permanent 4473 retention requirement to a defined 20–30 year window. The comment deadline is June 28. Source: justice.gov
• ATF Final Rule — Biden-Era “Predominantly Earn a Profit” FFL Rule Revoked: ATF formally rescinded the 2022 rule that expanded which private sellers must obtain an FFL and conduct background checks, narrowing the scope back toward pre-BSCA practice. Source: thetrace.org
• ATF Interim Final Rule — “Unlawful Drug User” Definition Revised: Effective January 22, ATF’s updated definition excludes remote, infrequent, or medically supervised drug use from the prohibited-person category. Public comments remain open through June 30. Source: federalregister.gov
• Fifth Circuit — Elite Precision Customs v. ATF (Interstate Handgun Transfer Ban): A challenge to the federal prohibition on FFL-to-individual interstate handgun transfers is now before the Fifth Circuit, a case with direct relevance to transfer services. Source: thegunmag.com

What This Means for Gun Owners

The two imminent SCOTUS rulings could reshape carry rights in multiple states simultaneously and clarify who qualifies as a prohibited person — both outcomes affecting background check outcomes at the point of transfer. The ATF rulemaking, if finalized as proposed, would modernize the transfer process itself: electronic Form 4473 records, longer-valid NICS checks, and a defined (rather than permanent) document retention requirement. Gun owners and FFLs who want to influence those proposed changes have until June 28 to submit comments.

Key Dates to Watch

• By ~June 30, 2026: SCOTUS decisions expected in Wolford v. Lopez and United States v. Hemani
• June 28, 2026: Public comment deadline — ATF 34-rule reform package
• June 30, 2026: Public comment deadline — ATF revised “Unlawful Drug User” definition (IFR)

Sources

• scotusblog.com — Wolford v. Lopez / United States v. Hemani
• justice.gov — DOJ/ATF 34-Rule Reform Package
• federalregister.gov — Unlawful Drug User Definition IFR
• thetrace.org — Biden-Era FFL Rule Rescinded
• thegunmag.com — Grassroots Judicial Report, June 10, 2026

This brief is updated daily. Read past briefs.