Supreme Court to Review Local Bans on AR-15 Rifles

The Supreme Court will hear challenges to local bans on the AR-15 rifle during its next term, which begins in October. This follows the court's previous rejection of a case concerning Maryland's ban on the firearm. The court has agreed to review two specific cases related to AR-15 restrictions in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut. There are approximately 30 million AR- and AK-style rifles in circulation in the United States. Justice Brett Kavanaugh previously indicated support for reviewing state bans on semi-automatic rifles, noting that both AR-15s and handguns are used by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, including self-defense. Gun rights advocates argue that AR-15s are commonly used for self-defense, citing a Supreme Court decision that established the importance of firearms in common use. Conversely, Cook County officials argue that assault rifles are often used in criminal activities and pose a threat to public safety.