A federal judge in Illinois has overturned the state’s ban on semiautomatic weapons, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The decision comes after recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have strictly interpreted the amendment.
The Protect Illinois Communities Act, signed into law by Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker in January 2023, bans AR-15 rifles and similar guns, as well as large-capacity magazines and certain attachments. The law was enacted in response to the 2022 Independence Day shooting in Highland Park, Chicago, which killed seven people.
U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn ruled that the ban is unconstitutional, citing Supreme Court cases that have expanded on the definition of the Second Amendment’s guarantees. He wrote that the government has not met its burden to prove that firearm regulations support the sweeping nature of the Protect Illinois Communities Act.
The law’s supporters, including Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, have vowed to appeal the decision. The governor said he remains confident in the constitutionality of the law and plans to pursue swift action to overturn the ruling.
Gun rights advocates, on the other hand, have welcomed the decision, with one representative saying that it is a victory for citizens who deserve the right to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/illinois-semiautomatic-weapons-ban-tossed-appeal-b115223e9e49d36c16ac5a1206892919