Weekly Spotlight 10/6/25 – 10/12/25

What the Government Shutdown Means for Gunowners

The federal government shutdown has many responsibly armed Americans asking what it means for purchases, carry, training, and pending paperwork. Ultimately, Second Amendment rights have not changed. The immediate impact that many may notice is slower federal processes and paperwork. Anything that depends on federal staffing and approvals is likely to take longer until funding is restored.

Background checks through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System are still running, so lawful retail firearm purchases can move forward but many may face occasional delays due to staffing shortages and heavier call volumes. Those looking to go through this process should build in extra time for purchases and transfers and stay in close contact with your dealer for status updates. State waiting periods and other state-level requirements remain in effect where applicable.

Administrative services at the ATF are largely on hold. That includes federal firearms license actions, NFA eForms such as Form 1 and Form 4, import permits, and other approvals. You may still submit applications, but they will sit in the queue until normal operations resume. If you are waiting on a suppressor, SBR, or other NFA-regulated item, plan for a longer timeline. Do not take possession or use any NFA-regulated item until you have the required, finalized approval.

Law enforcement and security functions continue, and most state and local training, permitting, and compliance processes remain in place. Always check with your state or county for any local advisories. If your plans involve exports of firearms, parts, or accessories, be aware that commercial export licensing through BIS and DDTC is paused, which means shipments requiring federal licenses will be delayed.

In short, plan ahead and allow extra time for purchases, transfers, and any submission tied to federal approval. Keep your records organized, save receipts, submission confirmations, and correspondence, so you can pick up quickly once agencies are back to full strength. Above all, stay responsible and compliant; transport, storage, and carry laws at the federal, state, and local levels have not changed.

We’ll continue to watch developments and share updates as they come. Until then, stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay responsibly armed.

OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Daily Courier: When Violence Becomes Terrorism And How We Must Respond

Over the past several weeks, the nation has seen a troubling escalation in violent incidents. In Minneapolis, a gunman recently murdered several children at Annunciation Catholic Church. In Charlotte, N.C., a deranged individual fatally stabbed an innocent Ukrainian refugee on the light rail. In Utah, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was murdered while speaking to students on a college campus. Recently, a sniper opened fire on a Dallas ICE facility, killing one detainee and critically wounding two others.

ConcealedCarry.com: Federal Judge Rules Post Office Gun Ban Unconstitutional — But Not For Everyone

This ruling does not automatically make it legal for everyone to carry a firearm in a U.S. Post Office. The decision protects the named individual plaintiffs and members of the organizations that are plaintiffs (FPC and SAF). If you are not personally covered (i.e., not a plaintiff or a current member of those organizations), you can still be charged for carrying a firearm inside a post office or on postal property. On or about late September 2025, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas held that the government’s blanket ban on firearms at ordinary, customer-facing post offices is unconstitutional as applied to the plaintiffs. 

POLITICO: Supreme Court Takes Up Major Gun Rights Case

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear another major case on gun rights, taking up the constitutionality of a Hawaii law that bans the possession of handguns on private property unless the property owner has consented. The justices announced Friday morning that they’re adding the Second Amendment case, Wolford v. Lopez, to their docket for this term. Oral argument is expected early next year. The Hawaii law under review bars people from carrying guns in various places open to the public, including beaches, parks, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. And in other commercial establishments, like stores, the law says that people can carry guns only with the permission of the property owner.

The Reload: Analysis: Unanimous Supreme Court Smith And Wesson Decision Begins Trickling Down To Lower Courts

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) tossed Mexico’s liability suit against Smith and Wesson in June. Now, we’re beginning to see the effect in the lower courts. On Monday, a District Judge in Vermont dismissed a case seeking to hold Century Arms responsible for a 2019 shooting in California that was carried out with one of its guns. Despite previously allowing the case to proceed under an aiding and abetting exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), Judge William K. Sessions III reversed course. He argued that was the only option after the unanimous SCOTUS ruling.

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