Industry Reacts To SCOTUS Denial Of Illinois Modern Sporting Rifle Ban Challenge

Opinion

Semi Auto Firearms Gun Ban Adobe Stock Image 106197833
iStock Image 106197833

NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a writ of certiorari in Barnett v. Raoul, one of several challenges to Illinois’ bans on Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) and standard-capacity magazines. The decision not to review the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit’s decision at this early stage of the litigation, while disappointing, does not mean the Supreme Court will not review the matter later after final judgment.

The Supreme Court denied review now because the U.S. Court of Appeals has not yet issued a final judgment. Justice Samuel Alito, however, would have granted the petition now. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, “This Court is rightly wary of taking cases in an interlocutory posture. But, I hope we will consider the important issue presented by these petitions after the cases reach final judgment.”

Justice Thomas concluded Illinois’ bans are “highly suspect,” finding it “difficult to see how the Seventh Circuit could have concluded that the most widely owned semiautomatic rifles are not ‘Arms’ protected by the Second Amendment.”

He added, “But, if the Seventh Circuit ultimately allows Illinois to ban America’s most common civilian rifle, we can—and should—review that decision once the cases reach a final judgment. The Court must not permit ‘the Seventh Circuit [to] relegat[e] the Second Amendment to a second-class right.’”

“We are disappointed the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to accept this challenge at this time to what is clearly an unconstitutional law,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The Modern Sporting Rifle – or AR-15-style rifle – is the most popular-selling centerfire rifle in America, used for lawful purposes every day. That includes recreational target shooting, hunting and self-defense. These rifles are clearly ‘Arms’ that are protected by the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens to keep and bear.”

There are over 28.1 million MSRs in circulation today, more than there are Ford F-150s on the road today– the most popular-selling pick-up truck in America.

The challenge to Illinois’ ban on MSRs and standard-capacity magazines, Barnett v. Raoul, will now proceed to trial later this year in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

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About The National Shooting Sports Foundation

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org

National Shooting Sports Foundation

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reno

I HAE SAID THIS BEFORE” NSSF MEMBERS SHOULD REFUSE TO SELL, RENT, OR LEASE ANYTHING TO ANY GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES LAW TO BAN ANYTHING THE NSSF SELLS TO THE US CITIZEN. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY- I BELIEVE YOU AND THE REESES SHOULD MOVE OUT OF HELLINOIS, GO ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI INTO IOWA AND DENY TAXES TO HELLINOIS
I AM FROM CENTRAL HELLINOIS, WITHOUT CROOK COUNTY THIS IS A RED STATE!!!!!

Logician

Look, the USSC/SCOTUS just proved to the whole world once more, that it is incapable of rendering just and correct legal OPINIONS and cannot ever be trusted to do so! Every time they reverse one of their decisions, like they did with Roe v. Wade in 2022, after 49 years, and then here in 2024 with Chevron, after 40 years, it’s one more strike against them, one more black eye they have given to themselves! How many more times do they have to demonstrate that they cannot be relied upon, before enough of us wake up and just say “NO… Read more »

Cappy

It’s said the wheels of justice turn slowly but grind exceedingly fine. The problem is that too many gun owners are deprived of their rights while the wheels grind. This appears to be one of those times.

HLB

This case has been cirulating the courts for too long. There is a reason why it has been intentionally delayed.

HLB

Henry Bowman

SCOTUS didn’t say “NO”, they said ‘not yet’. HUGE DIFFERENCE.
Give it time, folks; things will turn up! Meanwhile, donate to your favorite 2A fighting group!

musicman44mag

This needs to be stopped in it’s tracks because other states will try the same thing or bastardize what an AR is to where it no longer is one like kommiefornia. No pistol grip, no front grip, special release button that requires a bullet to release the mag and more. The Supreme Court will get to it as soon as the lower court comes out with it’s final decision if it needs to which is a normal process. It reads as if the lower court doesn’t get it right then the Supreme Court will take the case and correct the… Read more »