by Ben Whedon
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a challenge to bans on AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles that could impact states that have implemented strict gun control measures.
The justices granted a writ of certiori and consolidated two cases addressing bans on commonly owned firearms, including AR-15s. The petitioners specifically challenge restrictions in Illinois and Connecticut, two states with some of the strictest gun regulations in the nation.
AR-15s are among the most common semi-automatic rifles in the nation. The model has drawn scrutiny, however, over its prevalent use by mass shooters.
But the Supreme Court’s recent Second Amendment cases have seen the justices err on the side of a permissive interpretation. This term, the court struck down restrictions on concealed carry permit holders in Hawaii.
The justices previously struck down sweeping concealed carry restrictions in New York.
In reaction to the news, Firearms Policy Coalition, a pro-Second Amendment organization, said, “This is not the end of the fight to eliminate bans on so-called ‘assault weapons,’ but it marks the end of the beginning. ”
“And as we approach Independence Day—as our nation celebrates 250 years—we embrace our movement’s next challenge: securing a historic Supreme Court victory that protects the right to keep and bear arms for generations to come. The FPC Grassroots Army will continue to Fight Forward until every ban on constitutionally protected arms is eliminated, full stop,” the organization added.
Doug Hamlin, CEO of the National Rifle Association, reacted to the news by saying, “We are getting closer and closer to restoring the Second Amendment to the Founding Fathers’ original vision!”
“The Supreme Court’s decision to review the unconstitutional bans of common semiautomatic firearms represents a critical step toward restoring the full scope of the Second Amendment as our Founders intended,” Hamlin added.
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Ben Whedon is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network and contributed to this story.
