Federal Court Ruling Finds Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban Unconstitutional

A federal judge in East St. Louis recently ruled that the state's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional.

In 2023, Illinois enacted a ban on the sale and possession of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. The legislation faced immediate legal challenges, with gun owners and gun rights advocacy groups arguing it infringed on constitutional rights. On November 8, Judge Stephen P. McGlynn ruled the state's ban unconstitutional, granting an injunction to plaintiffs.

The judge stayed the injunction for 30 days, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an appeal that same night.