The Second Amendment community is cautiously optimistic after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases challenging semi-automatic weapons bans in Illinois and Connecticut.
With September here, the approaching new term will be closely watched for arguments submitted by both sides and clues on how the jurists will decide the pivotal outcome.
In a milestone event last week, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed its opening brief against the “assault weapons” bans. Outlier states–and Cook County, Illinois–ban these extremely popular firearms for mostly cosmetic features and little more.
Hypocritical lawmakers ban weapons while protected by armed guards
SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut noted that ownership of these ubiquitous and mislabeled firearms is under vehement attack.
“The Second Amendment demands that it is ‘the People’ who get to choose what firearm is best suited for their lawful needs, not an ideologue legislator,” Kraut declared. “Modern semi-automatic rifles are the overwhelming choice of Americans for all sorts of reasons–they are easy to shoot, mechanically accurate, modular and ergonomically adaptable.”
He added that the brief exposes lawmakers who operate behind personal security forces lack the “authority” to prohibit this class of weapons.
‘Common use’ will be critical in SCOTUS’ decision-making process
The high court’s Heller ruling protects firearms in common use from blanket bans. The brief summarizes how the popularity of semi-automatic weapons means they fall under the Second Amendment’s protection.
“Because ‘millions of Americans own AR-15s and…a significant majority of the States allow for possession of these rifles,’ it follows that they ‘are commonly possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes,’” the brief stated. “A ‘categorical ban of such weapons therefore violates the Second Amendment.’”
With a mountain of briefs and arguments to follow, the court is tasked with deciding if Viramontes and Grant are correct in asserting that such bans on an entire class of popular weapons are unconstitutional.
The fall term promises to be quite interesting. Stay tuned.
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