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Case TitleGUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv00206
Date Filed2020-01-27
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Jia M. Cobb
PlaintiffGUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC.
Case DescriptionGun Owners of America submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning the NICIS Indices Self-Submission Form, allowing otherwise eligible persons to report themselves to the federal government as ineligible to purchase or possess firearms. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told Gun Owners of America that it expected to complete the request in 1,591 days. After hearing nothing further from the agency, Gun Owners of America filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-01-271COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6768043) filed by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Summons to the US Attorney, # 5 Summons to the Attorney General, # 6 Summons to the FBI)(Olson, Robert) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-01-272LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 01/27/2020)
2020-01-28Case Assigned to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. (zsb) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-01-283SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zrdj) (Entered: 01/28/2020)
2020-01-294GENERAL ORDER AND GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO FOIA CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON. The Court will hold the parties and counsel responsible for following these directives, and parties and counsel should pay particular attention to the Court's instructions for processing and production of records, batching motions, and filing exhibits. Failure to adhere to this Order may, when appropriate, result the imposition of sanctions and/or sua sponte denial of non-conforming motions. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 1/29/2020. (jag) (Entered: 01/29/2020)
2020-03-175RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/11/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/12/2020. (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 03/17/2020)
2020-03-176RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 02/11/2020. (See Docket Entry 5 to view document) (jf) (Entered: 03/19/2020)
2020-03-177RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 2/10/2020. (See Docket Entry 5 to view document) (jf) (Entered: 03/23/2020)
2020-03-268ANSWER to Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.(Moustakas, John) (Entered: 03/26/2020)
2020-03-27MINUTE ORDER. On March 16, 2020, Chief Judge Howell issued a Standing Order regarding Court Operations in Exigent Circumstances created by the Covid-19 Pandemic, postponing all in-court proceedings until after April 17, 2020. In light of the ongoing pandemic, and the associated difficulties that it is causing in workplaces, this Court is extending the standard period of time that it affords parties to submit proposed schedules in FOIA cases following submission of an answer. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 4/20/2020, the parties shall confer and submit a proposed schedule for further proceedings. This Court will freely grant extensions of this deadline should the need arise. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 3/27/2020. (jag) (Entered: 03/27/2020)
2020-04-209Unopposed MOTION to Stay by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 04/20/2020)
2020-04-2110AFFIDAVIT re 9 Unopposed MOTION to Stay by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 04/21/2020)
2020-05-05MINUTE ORDER granting 9 Unopposed Motion to Stay. It is hereby ORDERED that this matter is STAYED until further Order of this Court. It is FURTHER ORDERED that, notwithstanding this stay, the parties shall file a joint status report on June 1, 2020, or within two weeks of the reopening of RIDS, whichever is earlier, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings, if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 5/5/2020. (jag) (Entered: 05/05/2020)
2020-06-0111Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration David Hardy)(Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/02/2020)
2020-06-2212STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/22/2020)
2020-06-23MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in Defendant's 12 Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 7/29/2020, the parties shall file a joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 6/23/2020. (jag) (Entered: 06/23/2020)
2020-07-2913MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 07/29/2020)
2020-07-30MINUTE ORDER granting, for good cause shown, 13 Motion for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report, nunc pro tunc. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file their Joint Status Report on or before 8/5/2020. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 7/30/2020. (jag) (Entered: 07/30/2020)
2020-08-0414Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 08/04/2020)
2020-09-2315Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-11-3016Joint STATUS REPORT by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 11/30/2020)
2020-12-03MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 12/15/2020, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 12/3/2020. (jag) (Entered: 12/03/2020)
2020-12-1517Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 12/15/2020)
2020-12-18MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 1/15/2021, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 12/18/2020. (jag) (Entered: 12/18/2020)
2021-01-1518Joint STATUS REPORT by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 01/15/2021)
2021-01-15MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 2/15/2021, the parties shall file a further joint status report, which shall include a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 1/15/2021. (jag) (Entered: 01/15/2021)
2021-02-1619STATUS REPORT of Plaintiff by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-2320STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 02/23/2021)
2021-02-2521NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen D. Stamboulieh on behalf of GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC (Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 02/25/2021)
2021-03-1522MOTION to Lift Stay by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Olson, Robert) (Entered: 03/15/2021)
2021-03-19MINUTE ORDER granting 22 Motion to Lift Stay. It is hereby ORDERED that the stay in this matter is lifted, and that on or before 4/2/2021, the parties shall file a joint status report that apprises the Court of whether processing and production of responsive records is complete in this matter and, if so, also proposes a schedule for briefing summary judgment. Counsel are instructed to review Paragraph 4(c)(ii) of the Appendix to this Court's 4 General Order and Guidelines for FOIA Cases regarding what deadlines need to be included in the proposed schedule. Plaintiff can raise any concerns it has regarding the adequacy of Defendant's searches in its summary judgment filings. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 3/19/2021. (jag) (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-04-0223Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 04/02/2021)
2021-04-29MINUTE ORDER setting schedule for further proceedings: Plaintiff's Amended Complaint is due on or before 5/24/2021; Defendant's Answer to the Amended Complaint is due on or before 6/10/2021; Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be served on or before 7/1/2021; Plaintiff's Opposition and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be served on or before 8/2/2021; Defendant's Reply and Cross-Motion Opposition shall be served on or before 8/23/2021/2021; Plaintiff's Cross-Motion Reply shall be served on or before 9/6/2021; briefs shall be filed as a batch within three (3) business days of the service of the last reply brief authorized by this Minute Order, but in any event no later than the Final Filing Deadline of 10/11/2021. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 4/29/2021. (jag) (Entered: 04/29/2021)
2021-05-2424AMENDED COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION filed by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Plaintiff's FOIA, # 2 Exhibit Defendant's Acknowledgment, # 3 Exhibit Redlined Amended Complaint)(Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 05/24/2021)
2021-06-0725MOTION to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/07/2021)
2021-06-1126ANSWER to 24 Amended Complaint, by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.(Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/11/2021)
2021-06-1227RESPONSE re 25 MOTION to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule filed by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 06/12/2021)
2021-06-17ENTERED IN ERROR.....MINUTE ORDER. In light of the representations in the parties' 29 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that, on or before 8/17/2021, the parties shall file further joint status report, which shall contain a proposed schedule for further proceedings if litigation is going to be necessary. Signed by Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on 6/17/2021. (jag) Modified on 6/17/2021 (zjf). (Entered: 06/17/2021)
2021-06-17NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: Docket Entry re Minute Order filed on 06/17/2021 was entered in error and will be entered in the correct case.(zjf) (Entered: 06/17/2021)
2021-06-2228ERRATA by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/22/2021)
2021-06-2329Consent MOTION to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 06/23/2021)
2021-06-24MINUTE ORDER granting 29 the parties' Consent Motion to Vacate Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule. It is hereby ORDERED that the summary judgment briefing schedule ordered by the Court on April 29, 2021, is VACATED. It is FURTHER ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern the parties' summary judgment briefing: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before September 30, 2021; Plaintiff's Opposition and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before November 1, 2021; Defendant's Reply and Cross-Motion Opposition shall be filed on or before November 30, 2021; Plaintiff's Cross-Motion Reply shall be filed on or before December 14, 2021. It is FURTHER ORDERED that 25 Defendant's Motion to Vacate Summary Judgment Schedule is DENIED AS MOOT. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 6/24/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 06/24/2021)
2021-06-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 11/1/2021. Response to Cross Motions due by 11/30/2021. Reply to Cross Motions due by 12/14/2021. Summary Judgment motions due by 9/30/2021. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/1/2021. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/30/2021. (zgdf) (Entered: 06/25/2021)
2021-06-29Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been elevated to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She is therefore no longer assigned to this case, and this matter has been reassigned to the Calendar Committee, which will oversee it until it is assigned to another district judge. Any questions should be directed to Judge Jackson's former deputy clerk, Gwendolyn Franklin, at 202-354-3145 or gwen_franklin@dcd.uscourts.gov. (rj) (Entered: 06/29/2021)
2021-10-3030Consent MOTION to Vacate and Reset Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 10/30/2021)
2021-11-01MINUTE ORDER granting 30 Defendant's Consent Motion to Set New Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule. It is hereby ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern the parties' summary judgment briefing: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before March 1, 2022; Plaintiff's Opposition and/or Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed on or before April 1, 2022; Defendant's Reply and Cross-Motion Opposition shall be filed on or before May 2, 2022; and Plaintiff's Cross-Motion Reply shall be filed on or before May 16, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Rudolph Contreras on 11/1/2021. (lcrc3) (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment due by 3/1/2022. Plaintiff's Response and/or Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment due by 4/1/2022. Defendant's Reply and Cross-Motion Response due by 5/2/2022. Plaintiff's Cross-Motion Reply due by 5/16/2022. (zalh) (Entered: 11/01/2021)
2021-11-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross Motions due by 4/1/2022. Response to Cross Motions due by 5/2/2022. Reply to Cross Motions due by 5/16/2022. Summary Judgment motions due by 3/1/2022. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 4/1/2022. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 5/2/2022. (zgdf) (Entered: 11/18/2021)
2021-11-15Case directly reassigned to Judge Jia M. Cobb. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been appointed to the D.C. Circuit and is no longer assigned to the case. (rj) (Entered: 11/15/2021)
2022-02-2831Joint MOTION to Stay by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 02/28/2022)
2022-03-01MINUTE ORDER granting 31 JOINT MOTION TO STAY SUMMARY JUGDMENT BRIEFING SCHEDULE: Upon consideration of the joint motion, and based upon the entire record, the motion is hereby GRANTED. The Parties are further ORDERED to submit a joint status report by April 29, 2022, that apprises the Court of the status of the matter, including, if appropriate, a proposed schedule for further proceedings. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on March 1, 2022. (lcjmc1) (Entered: 03/01/2022)
2022-04-2932Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 04/29/2022)
2022-05-02MINUTE ORDER re 32 Joint Status Report: The Court has reviewed the joint status report and directs the Parties to file another joint status report on July 22, 2022. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on May 2, 2022. (lcjmc1) (Entered: 05/02/2022)
2022-07-2233Joint STATUS REPORT by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC.. (Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 07/22/2022)
2022-07-25MINUTE ORDER re 33 Joint Status Report by Gun Owners of America: The Court has reviewed the Parties' Joint Status Report and directs the Parties to file another joint status report by September 20, 2022. It is further ORDERED that the Parties shall file joint status reports every 90 days thereafter until further order of the Court. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on July 25, 2022. (lcjmc3) (Entered: 07/25/2022)
2022-09-2034Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 09/20/2022)
2022-09-23MINUTE ORDER granting 34 Joint Motion for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report: Upon consideration of the Joint Motion for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report, it is ORDERED the Motion is GRANTED. The Parties will file a Joint Status Report by October 4, 2022. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on September 23, 2022. (lcjmc2) (Entered: 09/23/2022)
2022-10-0535Joint MOTION for Leave to File Nunc Pro Tunc October 4, 2022 Joint Status Report by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Oct 4, 2022 Joint Status Report)(Moustakas, John) (Entered: 10/05/2022)
2022-10-06MINUTE ORDER granting 35 Joint Motion for Leave to Late File Joint Status Report. Upon consideration of the Motion, the Court GRANTS the Motion. Parties will submit a Joint Status Report by December 19, 2022. It is further ORDERED that the Parties shall file joint status reports every 90 days thereafter until further order of the Court. Signed by Judge Jia M. Cobb on October 6, 2022. (lcjmc2) (Entered: 10/06/2022)
2022-12-1936Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 12/19/2022)
2023-03-2137STATUS REPORT by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC.. (Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 03/21/2023)
2023-03-2138Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 03/21/2023)
2023-05-3139Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 05/31/2023)
2023-09-0840Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Moustakas, John) (Entered: 09/08/2023)
2023-12-0841Joint STATUS REPORT by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC.. (Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 12/08/2023)
2023-12-1942ERRATA correcting the next JSR date by GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, INC. re 41 Status Report. (Stamboulieh, Stephen) (Entered: 12/19/2023)
2024-02-0243NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Brenda A. Gonzalez Horowitz on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Substituting for attorney John Moustakas (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 02/02/2024)
2024-03-0444Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Gonzalez Horowitz, Brenda) (Entered: 03/04/2024)
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