Illinois semiautomatic weapons ban upheld by federal appeals court
12 reported
A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, keeping in place a law passed largely in response to the deadly Highland Park parade mass shooting. The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 opinion, overturned a lower court ruling and upheld the ban, stating the law is “consistent with our regulatory tradition” and does not violate the Second Amendment. The ban, called the Protect Illinois Communities Act, was passed and signed in January 2023 after the Highland Park July 4th parade mass shooting that killed seven and injured 36. The law prohibits the sale of more than 100 kinds of semiautomatic firearms and limits magazine capacities. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the decision enhances public safety, while Governor Pritzker called it “a victory in the fight to end gun violence.” The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association seeking to stop the ban, said it is disappointed and plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a legal challenge to a similar Cook County law in the fall.
What’s reported
A federal appeals court upheld Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons on Thursday.
The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling in a 2-1 opinion.
The law, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, was passed and signed in January 2023.
The law was passed in response to the Highland Park July 4th parade mass shooting that killed seven and injured 36.
The shooter used a legally purchased semiautomatic weapon.
The law prohibits the sale of more than 100 kinds of semiautomatic firearms and limits magazine capacities.
The appeals court ruled the law is “consistent with our regulatory tradition” and does not violate the Second Amendment.
The majority opinion states that “the presence of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines is strongly correlated with the severity of the societal problem.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the decision enhances public safety.
Governor Pritzker said the decision is “a victory in the fight to end gun violence.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation said it is disappointed and plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.
The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a legal challenge to a similar Cook County law in the fall.
Key figures
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
Governor Pritzker
Chief Judge Michael Brennan (dissenting judge)
National Shooting Sports Foundation (firearms industry trade association)
Sources: CBS News
