The Supreme Court on Monday elected not to hear a challenge to a state ban on assault weapons, in particular semiautomatic rifles. These firearms are not only popular among gun owners but have, unfortunately, also been involved in numerous mass shootings.
Reports from Maryland indicate that the case in question was against a law passed following the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, where 20 children and six adults tragically lost their lives. The perpetrator of the shooting was armed with an AR-15, a firearm frequently classified as an assault weapon.
Three conservative justices voiced their inclination to hear the case, with a fourth expressing doubt on the constitutionality of such bans. This suggests that the court may revisit the issue in the future.
Several states have enacted similar measures, and the concept also enjoys the backing of Congressional Democrats. The challengers in this case argued for a constitutional right to own firearms such as the AR-15.
This development follows earlier reports of a landmark ruling two years prior by the high court. The ruling expanded Second Amendment rights and sparked challenges to firearm laws across the nation. Ten states, along with the District of Columbia, have similar laws, encompassing major cities such as New York and Los Angeles. It should be noted that a national assault weapons ban, once in place, was allowed to expire by Congress in 2004.
The Supreme Court, as of this Monday, has chosen not to hear a challenge to a state ban on assault weapons. Whether this indicates a shift in judicial thinking or a momentary pause in the ongoing debate over gun control, only time will tell.
