Turning Point USA

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging a Maryland law that bans certain semi-automatic firearms which gun control advocates in the state are referring to as “assault weapons.” 

The plaintiffs argued that semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 are protected under the Second Amendment and that banning them is unconstitutional.

This case comes after the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which established a new standard for gun regulation, stating that state gun control laws must align with the “historic tradition” of firearm regulation in the United States. 

After setting this precedent, the current supreme court, which rarely takes up gun-related cases, chose not to review the case challenging the Maryland law.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to not take the case, the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals is still weighing in on the case, and the state of Maryland has argued that the court should be able to declare a decision before any Supreme Court action occurs. The plaintiffs of the case sought the attention of the Supreme Court instead, arguing that the appeals court had taken too long in its decision, according to the Associated Press.

Maryland’s law, enacted in 2012 in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, prohibits firearms classified as “assault weapons” and bans magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has defended the law and has pleaded that the courts do not overturn it, claiming that, “innocent lives depend on it.” 

Maryland is one of ten states that have laws that are labeled as “assault weapons bans,” according to the AP. However, over the last two years there has been strong pushback from the courts against such bans. California recently had a federal judge rule against both the state’s “assault weapons” ban, as well as legislation requiring customers who purchase ammunition to undergo a background check.