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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is poised to delve into a pivotal decision regarding the Second Amendment as it prepares to evaluate the legality of banning semiautomatic rifles, commonly referred to as assault weapons, in the United States.
On Tuesday, the justices announced their intention to examine appeals urging the court to invalidate restrictions on AR-15 and similar semiautomatic guns in regions such as the Chicago area and the state of Connecticut.
Legislation akin to these bans exists in roughly a dozen states across the nation, affecting key urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. While a national prohibition on assault weapons lapsed in 2004, largely due to Congress’s inaction, Democratic lawmakers have been advocating for its reinstatement amid recurring incidents of mass shootings. Consequently, individual states continue to implement their own regulations.
The cases are the latest high-profile disputes over guns to reach the court since its conservative majority handed down a landmark ruling in 2022 that expanded Second Amendment rights and spawned challenges to firearm laws around the country.
The case is expected to be heard in the fall.