(NationRise.com) – The US Supreme Court left conservatives in Maryland frustrated after it refused to hear a case against the state’s ban on AR-15 and similar rifles.
Activists in Maryland began suing the state over its ban in 2020. The lawsuit accused the state of incorrectly classifying rifles while noting they’re already used commonly by millions of law-abiding citizens. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals initially declined to hear the case, citing a SCOTUS precedent set in 2008 that determined assault weapons were not protected by the 2nd Amendment. However, they agreed to hear the case again after the high court set a new precedent in 2022.
Activists and groups who support gun rights sued the state in an attempt to challenge the legality of the ban, which also applies to magazines with larger capacities. They said it violates the Constitution’s Second Amendment.
SCOTUS refused to explain the reason for the refusal. However, it is still being considered by the 4th Circuit of Appeals. However, activists were hoping the Supreme Court would overturn the ban before the Richmond-based court reached a final decision.
Another appeal queued for the Supreme Court considers a similar ban in the state of Illinois. No decisions have been announced in that case. However, SCOTUS did strike down a ban on concealed carrying a gun in the state of New York. It also ruled that the Constitution protects the rights of Americans to keep a pistol on their persons while traveling in public for self-defense purposes.
The nation’s highest court is also considering two other significant cases that could set new precedents for gun rights.
One case challenges the constitutionality of a federal law that prohibits anyone with a restraining order stemming from domestic abuse from owning a gun. The other challenges the federal ban against bump stocks signed by former president Donald Trump. Supporters of gun rights began challenging that ban almost immediately after it was passed. The ban prohibits any American from privately possessing bump stocks, a device that increases the firing speed of AR-15 rifles, without exception.
Experts believe SCOTUS will rule on both cases before June ends.
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