U.S. Supreme Court turns down request to act on Illinois gun ban

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its current session by releasing a flurry of decisions, including one affecting Illinois gun owners.

The court turned down a request for an injunction blocking the Protect Illinois Communities Act, the state’s ban on so-called assault weapons.

The justices decided to let cases challenging its constitutionality move through the lower courts. 

Justice Samuel Alito was the only member who thought the high court should have taken the case. Justice Clarence Thomas said he hopes the court will take up the case once it works its way through the lower courts.

Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson said he wasn’t surprised by Tuesday’s decision, and he believes it will have no impact on whether courts will find that the law violates the Second Amendment.



(AP Photo Jose Luis Magana)