The Ninth Circuit has issued a significant Second Amendment ruling in Baird v. Bonta, filed January 2, 2026, striking down California’s ban on open carry in counties with populations over 200,000.
- The panel made it clear:
• Open carry is deeply rooted in American history
• States can’t ban it just because they prefer concealed carry
• California failed its burden — again
Gun owner Mark Baird had previously filed a civil rights lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, arguing the ban was unconstitutional. A federal district court denied Baird’s request for a preliminary injunction blocking the law, without providing an analysis of Baird’s likelihood of succeeding on the merits.
THE EPOCH TIMES
The Ninth Circuit then vacated the ruling and sent the case back to the district court to properly consider Baird’s likelihood of success. Instead, the district court failed to comply with the Ninth Circuit’s direction and granted summary judgment in favor of the state.
On Jan. 2, the panel reversed the district court’s ruling.
