The Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling Thursday limiting federal prosecution of marijuana users under the firearm possession ban, while Virginia and Rhode Island prepare sweeping new gun restrictions set to take effect July 1. Gun owners and FFLs have one week left to comment on the ATF’s broad regulatory overhaul package.

Today’s Headlines

• SCOTUS Limits Drug-User Gun Ban: In United States v. Hemani, the Court ruled 9-0 that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) cannot be applied to a marijuana user who is not an addict, not intoxicated, and not deemed dangerous — a narrow ruling that leaves other provisions intact. Source: cnbc.com
• Virginia Private-Sale Background Checks Halted Again: A Lynchburg Circuit Court judge declined to dissolve his injunction blocking Virginia’s universal background check requirement for private sales; a final hearing is expected before July 1. Source: cardinalnews.org
• Rhode Island Assault Weapons Sale Ban — 10 Days Out: Effective July 1, Rhode Island bans the sale, transfer, and manufacture of semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines and one or more military-style features; existing owners may keep firearms but cannot transfer them except to licensed dealers or out-of-state buyers. Source: nbcboston.com
• Virginia Assault Weapons Ban & Ghost Gun Felony — July 1: Virginia’s ban on the sale of assault firearms and magazines over 15 rounds takes effect July 1, alongside a new Class 5 felony for buying or selling ghost guns. Source: courthousenews.com
• ATF 34-Rule Package — Comment Deadline June 28: Most proposed rules in the ATF’s sweeping April 29 regulatory package — including a Form 4473 overhaul with electronic recordkeeping and extended NICS windows — close for public comment this Saturday. Source: atf.gov
• New York Bans Convertible Pistols and 3D-Print Digital Files: Governor Hochul signed S.9005c, prohibiting so-called convertible pistols and the possession of digital files used to 3D-print firearms or components. Source: thegunmag.com

What This Means for Gun Owners

If you are a marijuana user in a state where it remains federally illegal, the Hemani ruling narrows — but does not eliminate — federal exposure under § 922(g)(3); the Court emphasized the ruling does not apply to known addicts. Anyone conducting private firearm sales or transfers in Virginia or Rhode Island should review current state law before July 1, as new restrictions carry serious criminal penalties. FFLs and buyers who wish to weigh in on proposed changes to Form 4473 and electronic recordkeeping have until this Saturday, June 28, to submit comments to the ATF.

Key Dates to Watch

• June 28, 2026: ATF public comment deadline — Form 4473 overhaul and most of the 34-rule regulatory package
• Late June 2026: Lynchburg Circuit Court hearing on Virginia’s private-sale background check injunction
• July 1, 2026: Rhode Island assault weapons sale and transfer ban takes effect
• July 1, 2026: Virginia assault weapons ban and ghost gun felony law take effect
• August 4, 2026: ATF comment deadline — proposed NFA interstate transport reform

Sources

• cnbc.com — Supreme Court rules on gun ownership for drug users
• cardinalnews.org — Lynchburg loophole hearing
• nbcboston.com — RI governor signs assault weapons bill
• courthousenews.com — Virginia background checks challenged
• atf.gov — ATF New Era of Reform regulatory package
• thegunmag.com — New York S.9005c signed

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