Federal Appeals Court Upholds Illinois Ban on Assault and Semiautomatic Weapons

The federal appeals court in Chicago has upheld Illinois' assault weapons ban, ruling that the weapons covered by the legislation do not enjoy Second Amendment protection. The court found that assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are more similar to military-grade weaponry than firearms used for individual self-defense. While the ruling survived the first part of a two-step test, the court did not definitively rule on the constitutionality of the law. Many expect the issue to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The ban, enacted in response to a shooting in 2022, prohibits the sale of assault weapons and limits magazine purchases. Existing owners must register their weapons with the Illinois State Police.