All articles tagged with #assault weapons ban
The Supreme Court will hear challenges to Connecticut’s and Cook County, Illinois’ bans on semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15, testing whether governments can prohibit such firearms under the Second Amendment; the cases will be argued in the court’s next term starting in October, and with a 6-3 conservative majority, the ruling could reshape gun-control measures across the United States.
A Lancaster County Circuit Judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking Virginia’s new assault weapons ban from taking effect July 1, finding the plaintiffs are likely to succeed under the Virginia Constitution and applying the Bruen framework. The injunction, which keeps enforcement paused through December 31 or until a final order, allows one plaintiff to proceed after a standing finding; the case involves Gun Owners of America, the Virginia Citizens Defense League and John Crump, and the commonwealth has signaled an appeal, while similar relief is being sought by the NRA in another county.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed into law an assault weapons ban and high-capacity magazine restrictions, making Virginia the 11th state to enact such bans. The law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to import, sell, manufacture, purchase or transfer an assault firearm and bars someone convicted under the ban from purchasing, possessing or transporting a firearm for three years. Exemptions include antique firearms, those rendered permanently inoperable, and firearms that are bolt, pump, lever or slide-action. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026.
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the City of Denver alleging its ordinance banning semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15-style firearms, violates the Second Amendment; the Civil Rights Division will defend law-abiding gun owners nationwide, citing the Heller decision that protects weapons in common use for lawful purposes.
Gabby Giffords joined Gov. Tim Walz at a Minnesota town hall to advocate for an assault weapons ban and gun violence prevention, emphasizing the need for legislative action following recent mass shootings, despite political opposition.
Governor Tim Walz plans to call a special session in Minnesota to pass gun control measures, including an assault weapons ban, following a mass shooting at a church. Despite political divisions, he aims to pressure Republicans to support gun regulation, emphasizing the need for action to ensure safety in schools and churches.
Following a tragic mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that resulted in two children dead and several others wounded, Minnesota leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison, are advocating for stronger gun control measures. Frey emphasizes local action and the need for cities to have the authority to implement safety measures, while Ellison highlights the importance of federal legislation like an assault weapons ban and other regulatory efforts to prevent such tragedies. The incident has reignited debates over gun laws in the U.S.
The Supreme Court declined to hear challenges to Maryland's assault weapons ban and Rhode Island's magazine restriction, leaving these laws in effect, while indicating that the issue of assault weapons may be revisited soon due to ongoing legal debates and a conservative majority interested in clarifying the scope of gun rights under the Second Amendment.
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has won reelection in Maine's battleground House district against GOP state Rep. Austin Theriault, as projected by the Associated Press. Golden secured victory through a ranked-choice voting process, garnering 50.35% of the vote. The district, which was a Republican target after being won by Donald Trump in 2020, saw Theriault focus on issues like inflation and Golden's reversal on an assault weapons ban following mass shootings in Lewiston. Golden, a centrist, did not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential run.
A federal judge in East St. Louis has struck down Illinois' assault weapons ban, citing violations of the Second and 14th Amendments. The ruling, which prevents the state from enforcing the ban, is stayed for 30 days, allowing Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to file an appeal. The decision follows a week-long trial and is part of ongoing legal challenges, with further proceedings expected in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Governor JB Pritzker supports the law, emphasizing its role in enhancing public safety.
The Department of Justice released a report on the Uvalde school shooting, emphasizing the use of an AR-15 style assault rifle, prompting President Joe Biden to propose gun-control measures including universal background checks, red-flag laws, and an assault weapons ban. However, the article argues that these proposals are ineffective, pointing out that the Uvalde shooter passed a federal background check and that an assault weapons ban had no significant impact on reducing mass shootings in the past. The author suggests that allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns may be a more effective solution to protect against school shootings.
The US Supreme Court has declined to overturn an Illinois ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition, which was implemented after a mass shooting in 2022. The court rejected the appeal made by a gun shop and a national gun rights group to block the law, upholding a previous decision by a lower court. The ban, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, prohibits the sale of certain semiautomatic assault weapons and magazines with high round capacities. Several other states have enacted similar bans, and gun rights advocates have been challenging these laws in federal courts.
The Supreme Court has declined to block an Illinois law banning assault-style weapons, leaving the measure in place while proceedings before a federal appellate court continue. The court's decision marks the second time they have declined to halt Illinois' statewide ban, which a gun rights advocacy group and gun shop owner argue violates the Second Amendment. The law restricts the sale and purchase of semi-automatic "assault weapons" and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The case is part of a larger fight over the constitutionality of firearms restrictions following the Supreme Court's decision 18 months ago that imposed a new framework for evaluating such laws.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announces that Senator Martin Heinrich's proposed assault weapons ban bill will serve as the foundation for the state's gun control legislation.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to push for an assault weapons ban, stating that the proposal will be modeled after Senator Martin Heinrich's legislation. The move comes as part of a broader effort to address gun violence and enhance public safety. Lujan Grisham's push for stricter gun control measures aligns with the growing national debate on firearms regulation.