WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday declined, for now, to hear a challenge to a Maryland law banning certain semi-automatic firearms commonly referred to as assault weapons.
The court did not elaborate on the denial, as is typical. It would have been unusual for the justices to take up a case at this point, since a lower court is still weighing it. The Supreme Court is also considering an appeal over a similar law in Illinois. It did not act Monday on that case, which could be another avenue to take up the issue.
The Maryland plaintiffs, including gun rights groups, argued that semi-automatic weapons like the AR-15 are among the most popular firearms in the country and banning them runs afoul of the Second Amendment, especially after a landmark Supreme Court decision expanding gun rights in 2022. That ruling changed the test for evaluating whether gun laws are constitutional and has upended gun laws around the country.
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
U.S. California's homelessness keeps rising: report
Death toll rises to 30 in Japanese quakes: local gov't
Hunter Biden indicted on multiple counts related to firearms, tax evasion
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Feature: Australian winemaker looks to go deep into Chinese market
Death toll rises to 30 in Japanese quakes: local gov't
Palestinian president refuses Israel's plans to occupy parts of Gaza
NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
Japan looks into Tokyo airport crash, over 300 flights canceled
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
Lionel Messi scores fifth goal and has an assist in Inter Miami's 3