The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is set to discuss lawsuits challenging the Illinois “assault weapons” ban and the ban in Maryland during a conference on May 16. Justices will determine whether to accept the cases – Harrel v. Raoul and Bianchi v. Frosh – for consideration on the SCOTUS docket.
Parties involved in the cases include the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the Firearm Policy Coalition, Field Traders LLC, the Illinois State Rifle Association, C4 Gun Store, Marengo Guns, and several private citizens. SAF Founder and executive vice president, Alan Gottlieb, expressed optimism about the cases being scheduled for conference.
Plaintiffs in the cases argue that states and lower courts are not adhering to previous U.S. Supreme Court precedent established in 2022, which requires gun control laws to align with the text of the Second Amendment and founding era gun regulations. This precedent was set in the Bruen case.
Further discussions on the significance of the Bruen ruling have taken place, emphasizing the evaluation of gun control laws in relation to U.S. history and the intentions of the country’s founders. Justice Clarence Thomas has highlighted the importance of rulings like Bruen, McDonald v. Chicago (2010), and District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) in upholding Second Amendment rights.
Overall, the SCOTUS conference represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate surrounding firearm regulations and their alignment with constitutional rights.
