Attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice have sided with plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of Illinois’ ban on over 170 semi-automatic firearms, including AR-15 rifles. The state implemented this ban in 2023 to address rising concerns surrounding mass shootings, but a federal judge has deemed it a violation of the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms, leading to an ongoing appeal in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Governor JB Pritzker strongly criticized the DOJ’s stance as “wrongheaded,” emphasizing the potential dangers of lifting such restrictions. Meanwhile, 35 State’s Attorneys, including Ogle County’s Mike Rock, have filed an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit by stating that the ban affects widely owned firearms responsible for only a small fraction of violent crime. With oral arguments set to be heard soon, the outcome of this case could significantly impact gun laws in Illinois and beyond.
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