Trial Challenging Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban Underway

A trial challenging Illinois’ assault weapons ban is underway. A federal judge in East St. Louis is considering whether the ban is constitutional. An attorney representing gun dealers and owners argued yesterday that the law violates the right of many law-abiding citizens in the state to shoot recreationally, hunt and defend themselves. Governor Pritzker signed the law in response to the deadly Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park in 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case in July.