A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld Illinois' ban on semiautomatic weapons, overturning a lower-court ruling that had struck down the law. The decision, issued on July 9, 2026, by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, affirms the constitutionality of the state's 2023 ban on the sale and possession of certain semiautomatic firearms and high-capacity magazines.
Background of the case
The law, signed by Governor JB Pritzker in January 2023, prohibits the sale, manufacture, and possession of semiautomatic rifles, handguns, and shotguns defined as assault weapons, as well as magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds for long guns or 15 rounds for handguns. The law was challenged by gun rights advocates, who argued it violated the Second Amendment. In April 2024, a federal district judge in East St. Louis ruled the ban unconstitutional, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which required gun laws to be consistent with historical tradition.
Appeals court ruling
The 7th Circuit panel, in a 2-1 decision, reversed the lower court, holding that the ban aligns with historical firearm regulations. The majority opinion stated that "the Second Amendment permits the prohibition of dangerous and unusual weapons," a category that includes semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The court noted that such weapons are not typically used for self-defense and are similar to military-style firearms that have been regulated throughout American history. Judge Diane S. Sykes, writing for the majority, said, "The state has shown that these weapons are disproportionately used in mass shootings and other violent crimes, and the law is a reasonable response to that threat."
Impact and reactions
The ruling is a significant victory for gun control advocates and the Pritzker administration. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul praised the decision, saying, "This law saves lives by keeping military-grade weapons off our streets. We will continue to defend it against any further challenges." Gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, criticized the ruling and vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is expected to be a key test of the Bruen precedent, which has been used to strike down several state gun laws. According to the Giffords Law Center, Illinois is one of 10 states with assault weapons bans, and this ruling could influence similar cases nationwide.
