Official state legislative records or government announcements

Federal Judge Strikes Down Illinois' Ban on Semiautomatic Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines

Nov 8, 2024, 11:22 PM

A federal judge in Illinois has ruled that the state's ban on semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, adopted after a gunman killed seven people at a 2022 Independence Day parade, is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn issued a permanent injunction against the enforcement of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), stating that it violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. The judge called the law an 'unconstitutional affront to the Second Amendment' and noted that it is inconsistent with the nation's history and traditions. The ruling is stayed for 30 days to allow for an expected appeal. The governor has pledged a swift appeal to reverse the decision. Several gun rights advocacy groups, including Gun Owners of America, filed lawsuits challenging the ban, which were consolidated in this case.