Supreme Court Declines Maryland AR-15 Ban Challenge, Illinois Cases Pending

The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear a challenge to Maryland’s ban on AR-15 rifles, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh noting that the Court expects to address whether states can ban AR-15s at a later date. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, emphasizing that AR-15s are protected arms under the Second Amendment and criticizing the Court for not addressing the issue promptly. Multiple legal challenges are pending in Illinois, including a significant case involving Cook County’s gun ban, which many expect could be the next to reach the Supreme Court. Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation expressed confidence that the Court will take up another case related to gun bans soon, despite the Court’s current heavy docket. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the Supreme Court for prioritizing immigration issues over protecting constitutional gun rights, echoing the dissenting justices' concerns. This ongoing legal debate highlights the tension between state-level gun control measures and Second Amendment protections that the Court is likely to confront in the near future.