Last reviewed October 31, 2026
Firearm Rationing: Where It Stands in 2026
“One gun a month” laws ration a constitutional right, telling a law-abiding adult who has already passed a background check that he or she must wait 30 days before buying another firearm. There is no federal rationing law; these limits exist only in a few states.
The most important development came from California. In Nguyen v. Bonta, decided June 20, 2025, a Ninth Circuit panel struck down California’s one-firearm-in-30-days law, which had been expanded from handguns to all firearms. The court found no historical analogue for limiting how often law-abiding citizens may buy guns, and the mandate issued August 14, 2025, ending the restriction. It was a notable Second Amendment win in a circuit long considered hostile to gun owners.
Rationing has not disappeared, however. Virginia, which repealed its original 1993 law in 2012, reinstated a one-handgun-a-month limit effective July 1, 2020. Maryland still limits purchases of “regulated firearms” (handguns and certain rifles) to one in 30 days, and New Jersey still limits handgun purchases to one in 30 days, each with exemptions. Gun-rights groups are watching whether the Nguyen reasoning will be used against these remaining laws.
Key Facts
- No federal limit on how many firearms a law-abiding adult may buy; dealers must report multiple handgun sales (two or more within five business days) to ATF on Form 3310.4.
- June 20, 2025: Nguyen v. Bonta (9th Cir., No. 24-2036) struck down California’s one-gun-in-30-days law; mandate issued August 14, 2025.
- Virginia: one handgun per 30 days reinstated effective July 1, 2020, after the 2012 repeal.
- Maryland: one regulated firearm per 30 days (Md. Code, Public Safety 5-128).
- New Jersey: one handgun per 30 days, in place since 2009.
What Gun Owners Should Know
- In a rationing state, plan purchases and keep receipts showing dates; ask the dealer about exemptions for collectors, permit holders or trades.
- California residents should confirm with their dealer that DROS systems reflect the end of the 30-day limit.
- Multiple-sale reports are a federal paperwork requirement for dealers, not a ban; they do not stop a lawful sale.
- Track related rulings on the Court Cases page and effective dates on Gun Calendars.com.
- Related pages: Gun Permits and Background Checks.
Sources
- Ninth Circuit: Nguyen v. Bonta Opinion (June 20, 2025)
- Duke Center for Firearms Law: Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California’s One-Gun-Per-Month Rule
- Firearms Policy Coalition: Nguyen v. Bonta Case Page
- Maryland Code, Public Safety 5-128
Background and Resources
1975
One handgun a month law
– limits handgun purchases to one per 30-days, for an individual
- 1975 South Carolina passes first “One handgun a month law”
– 2004 was repealed - 1993 Virginia passed
– 2012 was repealed - 1994 Maryland
- 1999 California passed one-gun-a-month limit
– 2019 expand purchase prohibition to all guns - 2009 New Jersey