WASHINGTON (CBS) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block an Illinois law banning assault-style weapons. The measure will remain in place while proceedings before a federal appellate court continue.
State lawmakers approved the ban – called the Protect Illinois Communities Act – in early January, and Gov. JB Pritzker quickly signed it into law. Before signing the bill, Pritzker invoked the memory of the July 4th parade mass shooting in Highland Park last year – which left seven people dead and 36 injured, and left a 2-year-old boy parentless and wandering around. The shooter used a legally-purchased semiautomatic weapon.
The Illinois law restricts the sale and purchase of semi-automatic “assault weapons,” including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, which are defined as a magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition for long guns and more than 15 rounds for handguns. People who lawfully had assault weapons before the law was passed can keep them but must submit an affidavit to state police by Jan. 1st.
On Nov. 3, a three-judge appeals panel from that court – composed of Judges Frank H. Easterbrook, Diane P. Wood, and Michael B. Brennan – ruled 2-1 to uphold the ban, in part on the grounds that other constitutional rights have limits under the law, and the Second Amendment is no different.
R&I – TP
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