The ban was signed into law in January 2023 and prohibited the sale or transfer of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines in Illinois.

U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn says the law bans firearms covered by the Second Amendment and is not supported by historical precedent.

A federal judge has overturned Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, leaning on recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strictly interpret the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms.

The Illinois ban on assault weapons has lost a major court battle. A judge for the U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois Stephen McGlynn has ruled Friday afternoon the state’s ban on the sale of assault weapons is unconstitutional for gun owners.

Government may not deprive law-abiding citizens of their guaranteed right to self-defense as a means of offense,” the judge wrote.

Federal court weighs Cook County’s assault weapon ban, with arguments reflecting broader challenges to state gun laws.

A federal appeals court three-judge panel has taken a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms under advisement. Before Illinois passed a statewide ban on semi-automatic firearms in January 2023,

Attorneys for the state of Illinois filed a notice of appeal with the federal district court that found the state’s gun and magazine ban violates the U.S. Constitution. Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023.