FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2026
GOA LEADS INDUSTRY COALITION IN SUPREME COURT FIGHT TO DEFEND AR-15s
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF)—along with Century Arms, Canik USA, B&T USA and Fostech—filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down “assault weapons” bans in Viramontes v. Cook County.
What that case comes down to is this: Does the Second Amendment protect Americans’ right to own AR-15s and other commonly owned rifles?
AR-15s are the most popular rifles in America, and it is estimated that 20–40 million AR-15s are owned by Americans. The Supreme Court has already recognized that these rifles are widely owned and in common use.
Our brief argues that the government cannot ban commonly owned firearms simply because politicians or judges consider them too dangerous or akin to “military-style.” The Second Amendment does not draw a line between “civilian” and “military” weapons. The Founding Fathers understood that citizens should and would have access to the same kinds of arms used by soldiers.
Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement:
“The Supreme Court’s decision could have major consequences for Second Amendment rights nationwide. A favorable ruling would strike a major blow to some of the nation’s most extreme gun control laws, and states with ‘assault weapon’ bans will face a reckoning like never before.”
Adam Ruonala, VP of Sales and Marketing at Century Arms and Canik USA, issued the following statement:
“For decades, Century Arms has helped bring firearms to the American market and serve law-abiding gun owners across the country. The Viramontes case presents a historic opportunity for the Supreme Court to affirm that commonly owned semiautomatic rifles, including the AR-15 platform, are protected by the Second Amendment. Century Arms and Canik USA are proud to stand with Gun Owners of America and our industry partners in this effort and grateful to be part of a historic moment that could have lasting implications for our customers, our industry, and future generations of Americans.”
Ridley Key, CEO of B&T USA, issued the following statement:
“When the Court asks whether these rifles are in common use, we can answer that from the shop floor. The features these bans single out—grips, stocks, magazines—are the features that make a rifle controllable and safe to handle. Millions of Americans own this class of rifle for defense, for competition and for sport. B&T USA is proud to stand with Gun Owners of America in asking the Court to call them what they are: constitutional arms.”
David Foster, one of the founders and owners of Fostech, issued the following statement:
“Together with my brothers Mark and Paul, I stand with Gun Owners of America and with every group and citizen fighting to defend gun rights and uphold the Second Amendment. We support the principle that AR-15-style rifles are arms in common use for lawful purposes—the same rifles Americans already own and that we build in Indiana. The right to keep and bear arms does not belong to any government. It is God-given—endowed by our Creator, not granted by man. We will keep standing with those who refuse to let it be bargained away.”
GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
-GOA-
