According to official records from the Supreme Court’s website, the case B&L Productions, Inc. v. Gavin Newsom officially ended on April 28, 2025, when the Court denied the petition for certiorari. This case involved B&L Productions, the group behind the popular Crossroads of the West gun shows, who challenged California’s ban on gun shows at state-owned properties. After losing at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, they had hoped the Supreme Court would step in. But with the denial, the Ninth Circuit’s decision now stands as the final word, at least for now.
How the Battle Began
The situation was first highlighted by Alex Swoyer at the Washington Times back on November 27, 2024. Swoyer explained that B&L Productions, along with support from the Second Amendment Foundation, had petitioned the Court to review laws that banned buying and selling guns on state land, including places like the Del Mar Fairgrounds and the Orange County Fair and Event Center. Their argument was rooted not just in the Second Amendment, but also the First Amendment, saying these bans were a direct attack on lawful speech and assembly at gun shows.
The Ninth Circuit’s Controversial Ruling
As detailed by Swoyer and confirmed by Supreme Court documents, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sided against the gun show organizers. They ruled that California’s restrictions did not meaningfully burden constitutional rights. This reasoning raised alarms among gun rights advocates because it brushed aside serious concerns about both gun rights and free speech. Many saw the ruling as the Ninth Circuit once again favoring California’s strict gun control laws over individual freedoms.
NRA and Second Amendment Foundation Step In
In support of the petitioners, the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed an amicus brief on January 2, 2025, according to the Court’s records. The NRA argued that the California laws were unconstitutional restrictions on lawful commerce and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Adam Kraut, executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation, stated bluntly: “If the state is allowed to continue, neither the First nor Second Amendments are safe from California’s legal choke hold,” as reported by Swoyer. Despite this strong push, the Supreme Court ultimately chose not to intervene.
Copper Jacket TV: Frustration with the Denial
Copper Jacket TV, a popular gun rights YouTube channel hosted by William, captured the feeling of frustration many Americans are experiencing. In his recent video, William emphasized that the Supreme Court has consistently failed to defend the Second Amendment. He pointed out that the Court has only taken a “handful” of gun rights cases over decades, even while lower courts, especially the Ninth Circuit, continue to chip away at those rights.
Two-Pronged Challenge: First and Second Amendments
One important thing William noted on Copper Jacket TV was that this wasn’t just a Second Amendment case. The petitioners had a two-prong argument, asserting violations of both their First Amendment right to free speech and their Second Amendment right to bear arms. As William explained, previous courts had ruled that “offers for sale” are protected commercial speech. However, the Ninth Circuit shifted course by claiming that the “acceptance” of an offer wasn’t protected. This subtle but critical change gave California cover to effectively ban gun shows on state land.
Different Outcomes at the District Court Level
William also detailed how the case had surprising twists at the district court level. In one district, a judge agreed that California’s gun show ban likely violated constitutional rights and issued an injunction against it. In another, the court ruled that B&L Productions didn’t even have standing to sue. These conflicting decisions made the case ripe for Supreme Court review – or so many thought.
Supreme Court Procedure: How It Unfolded
Based on the Supreme Court’s official docket, after the petition was filed on November 27, 2024, respondents like Gavin Newsom and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan waived their right to respond initially. However, later, under Court order, they did submit formal opposition briefs on March 20, 2025. After a round of replies, the case was distributed for Conference on April 25, 2025, and finally, the petition was denied on April 28, 2025 without comment.
Disappointing but Not Surprising
From my perspective, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear this case is disappointing – but honestly, not surprising. The Court talks about how the Second Amendment isn’t supposed to be treated like a second-class right, yet time and again it refuses to act when clear violations happen. The opportunity was there to protect both speech and gun rights, but they passed it up. It’s a pattern that leaves a lot of gun owners wondering how much real protection the Constitution actually offers anymore.
California’s Green Light
Now that the Supreme Court has denied review, California’s ban stands. As Copper Jacket TV noted, this essentially hands a win to Governor Gavin Newsom and the state’s aggressive gun control lobby. California can now prohibit gun shows at any state-owned property without fear of federal judicial interference. It sets a troubling precedent, where politically motivated bans can survive even when they arguably trample fundamental rights.
A Warning for the Future
In the Washington Times article, Adam Kraut warned that if California succeeds in bypassing both the First and Second Amendments, no constitutional right is truly safe. After this denial, that warning feels even heavier. If states can selectively ban types of speech and commerce they dislike, it opens the door to broader censorship and restrictions well beyond gun rights.
A Sad Day for Constitutional Rights
In the end, the denial of B&L Productions v. Newsom marks another sad day for constitutional rights. The combination of inaction from the Supreme Court, aggressive restrictions from California lawmakers, and favorable rulings from the Ninth Circuit creates a very tough environment for gun owners and free speech advocates alike. As Copper Jacket TV put it bluntly, it feels like “Groundhog Day” – another major case kicked aside, another victory for anti-Second Amendment forces, and another reminder that defending your rights takes vigilance, patience, and often, disappointment.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.