Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Assault Weapons in 4-3 Decision, Reaffirming Gun Control Advocates’ Push for Safer Communities

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the state’s ban on assault weapons. In a 4-3 decision on Friday, the court found that the Protect Our Communities Act does not violate the federal Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the law nor the state constitution’s bar on special legislation.

The ruling overturns a lower court decision that attempted to halt the ban after Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed it into law earlier this year. The court also ruled that Rep. Dan Caulkins, a Decatur Republican, and like-minded gun-owners who brought the lawsuit had earlier waived their claims that the law infringes on the Second Amendment to own firearms and could not raise it before the Supreme Court.

The ban, which was signed into law in March, prohibits the sale or possession of certain semiautomatic weapons, including AR-15s and AK-47s. It also bans large-capacity magazines, which are defined as those that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

The ruling is a victory for gun control advocates, who have long argued that such weapons are too dangerous for civilian use. It also comes as the nation grapples with a wave of mass shootings, including several involving assault weapons.

The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, the ban remains in effect in Illinois.