A federal judge in Illinois appointed under President Donald Trump has ruled the state's ban on assault weapons unconstitutional.
Judge Stephen McGlynn also issued an order barring the state from enforcing the ban, but gave Illinois time to appeal after suspending the ruling for 30 days.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul quickly filed a notice of appeal Friday evening. Associated Press Reported.
Mr. McGlynn opinion He suggested that property crimes are increasing across the country as a result of assault weapons bans, although there is no data to suggest a link between the two. He claims the ban violates his constitutional right to bear arms and equal protection under the law.
The 168-page opinion states that it is “particularly concerning that the current ban on weapons commonly owned and used by citizens deprives citizens of a primary means of defending themselves and their property.” “What you should do” and mentions the following situations: Handguns and shotguns alone will not become the people's preferred weapons. ”
McGlynn sided with the plaintiffs, who argue that assault-style weapons, which are prohibited by law, are commonly used for legitimate purposes such as self-defense. The case went to trial for one week in September.
“The court must act as justice demands,” McGlynn wrote. He added that the Illinois Community Protection Act (Pica) is “an unconstitutional affront and should be banned.” The government must not deprive law-abiding citizens of their guaranteed right to self-defense as a means of attack. ”
McGlynn in March issued a preliminary injunction Based on the merits of the case, they predicted that the plaintiffs who challenged the law were likely to prevail and blocked enforcement of the law.
However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed this decision. And in July, the U.S. Supreme Court Rejected review Along with some other similar cases. All cases were then remanded to district court for full proceedings.
McGlynn has been a federal judge since President Trump first appointed him to the position. Trump won his second presidential election on Tuesday, defeating Kamala Harris.
Illinois enacted the anti-pika law in 2023 after a gunman with a high-powered rifle killed seven people at the 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. In addition to firearms classified as assault weapons, 15-round handgun magazines and 10-round long magazines were also banned.
