Supreme Court to hear Chicago assault weapons ban challenge

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(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear a case on whether citizens are guaranteed the right to possess semiautomatic weapons, including the popular AR-15.

The high court agreed to hear arguments in Viramontes v. Cook County, a case based in Illinois where the Cook County Board placed a ban on assault-style weapons nearly 20 year ago.

Lawyers for Cook County said the government has a responsibility to protect citizens from the dangers of assault weapons.

"Assault rifles are the weapon of choice for criminals and terrorists set on quickly massacring innocents, but are rarely put to lawful public use," lawyers for Cook County wrote in a brief to the court.

Lawyers for Cutberto Viramontes, a Cook County resident, argued the government relies on unclear evidence to justify its assault weapons ban.

"These are ordinary rifles, not phasers from Star Trek, and while their muzzle velocity is generally somewhat higher than other rifles, the bullets they shoot are smaller, leading to an overall kinetic energy significantly lower than most hunting rifles," lawyers for Viramontes wrote in a brief to the court.

The Supreme Court's decision to hear this case comes after several high-profile Second Amendment decisions. The court has already struck down a law in Hawaii that prevented concealed carry permit holders from entering private spaces open to the public, including restaurants and bars, without the permission of the property owner. 

Additionally, the high court allowed individuals to possess firearms who are classified as "an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance." 

The Court will also hear arguments in Grant v. Higgins, a similar case, challenging assault weapons bans in Connecticut. 

Justices will likely hear arguments in Viramontes v. Cook County in the fall or early 2027. A decision is expected by June 2027.