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Supreme Court to Review Bans on Semiautomatic Rifles in Connecticut and Cook County

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Supreme Court to Hear Challenges on Semiautomatic Rifle Bans

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges to laws in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois, that prohibit certain semiautomatic rifles, including the AR-15. The cases will assess whether these bans violate the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Arguments are scheduled for the Court's term beginning in October 2025.

Background of the Laws

The contested laws differ by jurisdiction:

  • Connecticut: Enacted after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, where the shooter used an AR-15-style rifle.
  • Cook County, Illinois: A similar local ordinance prohibiting certain semiautomatic firearms.

Lower courts have upheld both laws. The state of Connecticut argues that the banned weapons are similar to military-grade firearms and are commonly used in mass shootings, making them subject to regulation.

"The banned weapons are similar to military-grade firearms and are commonly used in mass shootings." — State of Connecticut

Legal Arguments

Gun rights groups challenging the bans argue that the Second Amendment protects weapons in common use for lawful purposes, noting that millions of Americans legally own such rifles. The plaintiffs include:

  • Connecticut case: The Second Amendment Foundation, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, and three individuals.
  • Cook County case: Cutberto Viramontes, Christopher Khaya, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the Second Amendment Foundation.

In a 2022 ruling, the Supreme Court expanded Second Amendment protections to carrying firearms outside the home. In a previous case related to these matters, four conservative justices indicated they believed such bans are unlawful. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that the court "should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon."

Court Schedule and Context

The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in fall 2025. The Court has a 6-3 conservative majority that generally supports gun rights. AR-15-style weapons were used in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting and the 2022 shooting in Uvalde, Texas.