Supreme Court Declines to Challenge Maryland ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear two high-profile challenges to state gun-control laws—one in Maryland banning semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15, and another in Rhode Island prohibiting magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Both denials came in a list of orders released on Monday. The list did not provide an explanation for the denials. However, three justices—Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch—dissented, indicating that they would have taken up the cases.

In the Maryland case, sometimes referred to as an “assault weapons” ban, Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred with the majority in its decision to deny review, but said the Supreme Court “should and presumably will” address the constitutionality of AR-15 bans within the next term or two.

The Rhode Island case, Ocean State Tactical v. Rhode Island, challenged a 2022 state law banning large-capacity magazines, passed shortly after a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The law gave owners six months to modify, surrender, sell, or transfer such magazines.

Read More