A federal judge on Friday struck down Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that emphasize a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn invalidated the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which was signed into law in January 2023 by Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The law, which went into effect on January 1, bans semiautomatic firearms like AR-15 rifles, large-capacity magazines, and certain attachments. It was introduced in response to the tragic 2022 shooting at a July 4 parade in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago, which left seven people dead and dozens injured.
Judge McGlynn, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued a sweeping decision that applies to the law as a whole, not just to the plaintiffs who brought the case. His ruling emphasized that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to keep and bear arms, regardless of the government’s interest in regulating specific types of firearms. McGlynn also criticized the idea that citizens’ rights could be limited based on convenience or political agendas, writing, “The oft-quoted phrase that ‘no right is absolute’ does not mean that fundamental rights precariously subsist subject to the whims, caprice, or appetite of government officials or judges.”
While the ruling doesn’t take effect for 30 days, it represents a significant blow to gun control advocates in Illinois. Governor Pritzker and Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul both pledged to appeal the decision swiftly, asserting that the law was enacted to protect public safety.
“Despite those who value weapons of war more than public safety, this law was enacted to and has protected Illinoisans from the constant fear of being gunned down in places where they ought to feel secure,” Pritzker’s spokesman Alex Gough said in a statement.
On the other side, gun rights groups hailed the ruling. The Illinois State Rifle Association, which had opposed the ban, called the decision a victory for law-abiding gun owners and described it as a vindication of their legal stance. “Today’s ruling affirms our legislative position and shows our dedication to fighting on behalf of the millions of law-abiding Illinois firearms owners,” the group said.
The legal battle over Illinois’ semiautomatic weapons ban is expected to continue, with the state poised to take the case to a higher court. The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications not only for Illinois but also for other states considering similar gun control measures.