The US Supreme Court announces it will review appeals challenging bans on AR-15-style “assault weapons,” deciding whether such prohibitions violate the Second Amendment. The cases concern state and local restrictions in Connecticut and in the Chicago area, including Cook County, Illinois. Multiple outlets report that the court is taking up challenges to bans on semiautomatic rifles similar to the AR-15, a class of firearms that is popular with gun owners and has also been used in high-profile mass shootings.
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the cases is expected to affect how other jurisdictions approach similar restrictions. One report notes the issue could influence bans in roughly 10 states, though the Supreme Court’s review is specifically tied to the Connecticut and Cook County measures. Several sources describe the matter as a major gun-rights case, with courts tasked with interpreting the constitutional scope of the Second Amendment as applied to semiautomatic rifles. The justices indicate they will consider the appeals in the fall.
