Court rulings and major news outlets will report the final status of PICA

Judge McGlynn Rules Illinois Assault Weapons, High-Capacity Magazine Ban Unconstitutional; State to Appeal

Nov 8, 2024, 11:52 PM

A federal judge in East St. Louis has ruled that Illinois' ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines is unconstitutional, issuing a permanent injunction against the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn of the Southern District of Illinois found that the law is an 'unconstitutional affront to the Second Amendment' and is inconsistent with the nation's history and tradition of firearm regulation. The law, enacted after a gunman killed seven people at a 2022 Independence Day parade, bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches. The judge's order is stayed for 30 days to allow the state to file an expected appeal. Governor J.B. Pritzker has pledged a swift appeal, asserting the ban is necessary to protect Illinois communities. The case was brought by several gun rights organizations, including Gun Owners of America, the Gun Owners Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Second Amendment Foundation, who hailed the ruling as a victory for gun owners nationwide. Attorney Kostas Moros represented Gun Owners of America in the consolidated cases.