U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Assault Weapons Ban Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases, *Viramontes v. Cook County* and *Grant v. Higgins*, challenging assault weapons bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut. The Court will decide whether laws prohibiting semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 violate the Second Amendment. The case, set for the October 2026 term, could strike down bans enacted after mass shootings, including the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy. Four conservative justices previously signaled opposition to such restrictions, making this a landmark gun rights case.
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Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of Assault Weapon Bans
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Viramontes v. Cook County, a challenge to Illinois' assault weapon ban, consolidating it with Grant v. Higgins, a similar case from Connecticut. The Court will decide whether laws prohibiting possession of widely owned semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 violate the Second Amendment. Justice Kavanaugh had previously noted that millions of Americans own AR-15s, suggesting they may be in 'common use' and thus protected. The Cook County ordinance bans specific rifle models and semi-automatic rifles with certain features, despite no difference in firing capability. Lower courts upheld the ban, but plaintiffs argue the Supreme Court must clarify precedent from District of Columbia v. Heller. A dozen states and several local governments have enacted similar bans, making this a landmark case for gun rights and regulation.
Reason.comSupreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Assault Weapon Bans
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, consolidated cases challenging local and state bans on semi-automatic rifles commonly referred to as 'assault weapons.' The Court will decide whether laws prohibiting possession of widely owned rifles like the AR-15 violate the Second Amendment. Justice Kavanaugh had previously signaled the Court would address the issue. The Cook County, Illinois ordinance bans specific rifle models and semi-automatic rifles with certain features, while Connecticut has a similar statewide ban. Plaintiffs, including the Firearms Policy Coalition, argue the banned firearms are in common use for lawful purposes like self-defense, citing the Heller precedent. Lower courts upheld the bans, but the Supreme Court will now resolve the constitutional question.
Reason.comSupreme Court Takes Up Challenge to Assault Weapons Bans
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to state and local bans on assault weapons, specifically targeting laws in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois. The case, which will be heard in the court's next term starting October, could potentially overturn restrictions on semiautomatic weapons like the AR-15, which are frequently used in mass shootings. Four of the court's six conservative justices had previously expressed opposition to such bans on Second Amendment grounds. Connecticut's law was enacted following the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children and six adults were killed. Cook County State's Attorney Ellen O'Neill Burke vowed to defend the county's longstanding ban, stating these weapons are designed to inflict maximum carnage and have no place in communities.
The New RepublicUS Supreme Court to Hear Major Assault Weapons Ban Challenge
The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to state and local bans on assault weapons, specifically targeting laws in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois. Four of the six conservative justices previously expressed opposition to such bans on Second Amendment grounds. The case, to be heard in the October term, could potentially destroy restrictions on semiautomatic weapons like the AR-15, which is commonly used in mass shootings. Connecticut's law was enacted after the Sandy Hook shooting, where 20 children and six adults were killed. Cook County State's Attorney Ellen O'Neill Burke stated the county will vigorously defend its ordinance, calling the weapons designed for maximum carnage and inappropriate for communities.
The New RepublicSupreme Court Takes Up Monumental Case on Assault Weapons Bans
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to state and local bans on assault weapons, potentially striking down restrictions on semiautomatic weapons such as the AR-15, which are frequently used in mass shootings. Although the Court declined to hear a similar case last year, four of its six conservative justices previously expressed opposition to such bans under the Second Amendment. The case will be heard in the October 2026 term. The specific bans under challenge are from Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois. Connecticut's law was enacted following the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where 20 children and six adults were killed with an AR-15. Cook County State's Attorney Ellen O’Neill Burke defended the ban as necessary to protect communities from weapons of war designed to inflict maximum carnage.
The New Republic