WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 28, 2019) — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF) announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State. The case, Firearms Policy Coalition, et al., v. U.S. Department of State, is lead by attorneys Stephen Stamboulieh and Alan Beck. The complaint is available online at FPCLegal.org.

In August 2018, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the State Department seeking “all public records and information” about subjects including 3-D printable gun blueprints, firearm printing files, firearm machining files, “ghost guns”, “Defense Distributed”, “Cody Wilson”, “Code is Free Speech”, “CodeIsFreeSpeech.com”, and other individuals and organizations. After receiving no records following the August request, another request was sent in December to the State Department and Secretary Michael R. Pompeo.

“As of the date of this Complaint,” the court filing explains, “the Defendant has failed to: (i) produce the requested records or demonstrate that the requested records are lawfully exempt from production; (ii) notify Plaintiffs of the scope of any responsive records Defendant intends to produce or withhold and the reasons for any withholdings, or (iii) inform Plaintiffs that it may appeal any adequately specific, adverse determination.”

“The Department of State cannot avoid their duties under FOIA,” said Stamboulieh. “This lawsuit is the result of the government yet again failing to follow the law and do their job. We look forward to once more vindicating the rights of our clients and holding those in power responsible for their unlawful actions.”

FPC and FPF are co-plaintiffs, along with Defense Distributed, Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), California Gun Rights Foundation (CGF), and FPC founder and President, Brandon Combs, in a federal lawsuit against New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. Key documents for that case are available at CodeIsFreeSpeechCase.com.

Firearms Policy Coalition (www.firearmspolicy.org) is a 501(c)(4) grassroots nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to defend the People’s rights—especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms—advance individual liberty, and restore freedom.

Firearms Policy Foundation (www.firearmsfoundation.org) is a 501(c)3 grassroots nonprofit organization. FPF’s mission is to defend the People’s rights and promote individual liberty through research, education, and legal action programs.