Supreme Court Declines to Review Assault Weapons Ban Cases
In a recent ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 not to review two cases challenging state bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, specifically from Maryland and Rhode Island. The court’s decision upholds lower court rulings that supported the bans, with Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch expressing dissent.
The Maryland case focused on the state’s ban of AR-15-style rifles. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals previously stated that such bans align with the Second Amendment, arguing that protecting popular weapons could lead to potential dangers if left unregulated. Opponents of the ban argued the need for the Supreme Court to ensure that the Second Amendment is not limited to state-sanctioned means of self-defense.
While the majority chose not to hear the cases, Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested that the Court would address the AR-15 issue in the future. Justice Thomas was particularly critical, stating, “I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America,” emphasizing the importance of the matter for millions of lawful AR-15 owners.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes amid numerous legal challenges to various aspects of former President Donald Trump’s administration, encompassing economic and regulatory policies. As the Court prepares to consider additional rulings in the coming weeks, gun rights advocates and opponents of gun control await further developments on these contentious issues.
For further updates, follow Anders Hagstrom on Twitter @Hagstrom_Anders.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
