Judge Roger Benitez Retires, Leaving Behind a Major Second Amendment Legacy

Summary

Judge Roger T. Benitez, known as "Saint Benitez" by Second Amendment supporters, retired from federal service on April 2, 2026. He leaves a significant legacy of pro-Second Amendment rulings, including decisions striking down California's magazine capacity ban (Duncan v. Bonta), AR-15 ban, and ammunition background check requirement, many of which are still under appeal or review by the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court.