Reader question, asked June 2025
Short answer: In June 2025 the Court turned down the Maryland AR-15 ban and Rhode Island magazine ban cases. In June 2026 it agreed to hear an AR-15 ban challenge, with a decision expected by June 2027.
The details
- June 2, 2025: The Court declined Snope v. Brown (Maryland) and Ocean State Tactical v. Rhode Island (magazines). Justices Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch would have taken the Maryland case. Justice Kavanaugh wrote that the Court should take up AR-15 bans in the next term or two.
- June 30, 2026: The Court granted review in Viramontes v. Cook County (Illinois) and Grant v. Higgins (Connecticut). The cases were combined and will be argued this term.
- The question the Court will decide: whether the Second Amendment protects owning AR-15-style semi-auto rifles.
- This is the first time the Court has agreed to rule directly on an assault weapon ban. The decision is likely by the end of June 2027.
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