ASA-F & CRPA BACK LAWSUIT AGAINST CALIFORNIA SUPPRESSOR BAN
On March 28, 2025, the ASA Foundation (ASA-F), joined by the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) and the law firms of Cooper & Kirk and Michel & Associates, filed a replacement opening brief on behalf of plaintiff Gary R. Sanchez in Sanchez v. Bonta before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, appealing the dismissal of his challenge to California's suppressor ban by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
The premise is simple: California’s ban on suppressors is on borrowed time. ASA-F and CRPA are confident that this lawsuit will open up the door to legal suppressor ownership for law-abiding Californians.
ASA-F Will Fight Until Every Suppressor Ban Is Overturned!
1. Suppressor Bans Are Unconstitutional
There has never been a Federal ban on suppressors, but there are currently 8 states where their possession is prohibited. Each of these state bans is a violation of the Constitution.
2. The Second Amendment Protects Your Right to Have Suppressors
Suppressors have been classified as firearms since 1934. As such, they are bearable arms and must be afforded the same Constitutional protections by the Second Amendment as firearms.
3. ASA-F Will Fight Until Every Suppressor Ban Is Overturned
Suppressors are legal to own in 42 states. California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island are the 8 states that ban suppressors. The lawsuit challenging the ban in Illinois is the first of its kind, but it will not be the last!
Case Status
SANCHEZ V. BONTA
U.S. Court of Appeals – Ninth Circuit
Case #24-5566
Latest Action: 11/18/2025
Action: Oral Arguments Heard On 11/18/2025
Next: Awaiting Ruling
The case was argued and submitted to Judges Bybee, Lee, and De Alba on November 18, 2025. No decision has been issued.
On June 3, 2026, a separate Ninth Circuit panel held in United States v. DeBorba that suppressors are firearm accessories that fall outside the plain text of "Arms." That decision arose from a criminal prosecution with facts unrelated to lawful ownership, but it addresses the same threshold question presented in Sanchez. It also places the Ninth Circuit in direct conflict with the Fifth Circuit's June 18, 2026 decision in United States v. Comeaux — a split that strengthens the case for eventual Supreme Court review.
ASA-F is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit that was formed to help educate the public on the realities and merits of suppressors.
ASA-F will fight until every suppressor ban is overturned
There are currently 8 states where suppressor ownership and possession are banned.
ASA-F and Silencer Shop have partnered to help sue Illinois
The ASA-F and Silencer Shop backed lawsuit is the first step of many to overturn the unconstitutional bans on suppressors.
ASA-F will back lawsuits in additional states
The lawsuit in Illinois is the first ASA-F backed suit of its kind. It will not be the last. ASA-F will continue until every suppressor ban is overturned!
Winning in court will end the threat of suppressor bans
About the ASA Foundation
The American Suppressor Association Foundation (ASA-F) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization. Formed to educate the public on the realities and merits of suppressors, ASA-F stands at the forefront of pro-suppressor Constitutional litigation.
The ability of the American Suppressor Association Foundation to educate and litigate for your Constitutional rights is tied directly to our ability to fundraise. For more information on how you can help, visit www.Suppressor.org.
