A federal appeals court has upheld an Illinois gun control law that bans the manufacture, sale, delivery, purchase, and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, issued on July 10, 2026, reversed a previous district court ruling that deemed the ban unconstitutional. The court noted that a grandfather clause allows existing lawful owners of the regulated items to retain possession.
The ruling specifically addressed the law's application to AR-15s and thirty-round rifle magazines, stating that the restrictions align with the principles of firearm regulation in the United States. Chief Judge Michael Brennan dissented, arguing that the ban infringes on the Second Amendment rights of individuals who commonly own firearms for self-defense.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul expressed support for the court's decision, emphasizing its importance for public safety. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a plaintiff in the case, announced plans to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.