Illinois Democrats are fuming after a federal judge struck down the state’s sweeping ban on semiautomatic weapons, a law that critics rightly called a blatant violation of the Second Amendment.
The ban, part of the so-called “Protect Illinois Communities Act,” has been under fire since its inception in early 2023, when it sought to outlaw popular semiautomatic rifles, magazines, and other accessories used by law-abiding citizens for self-defense and sport. U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn pulled no punches in his ruling, accusing the state of trying to push a “post-Constitution era,” where individual rights are only honored when convenient for those in power.
Judge McGlynn’s statement reads like a breath of fresh air for anyone who believes in the basic premise that rights are, well, rights—not privileges granted by the government. In his ruling, McGlynn pointed out that the all-too-familiar phrase “no right is absolute” doesn’t mean those rights can be chipped away at every whim of a legislator or judge. Stripping law-abiding citizens of the tools they rely on to protect themselves? That, he noted, is particularly troubling.
🚨Big news- U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn has blocked the Illinois “assault weapons” ban. Illinois will appeal, but this important decision helps in the fight to defend the 2A rights of our citizens! https://t.co/HPB4A9gVmT
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) November 8, 2024
Let’s not kid ourselves about the nature of this legislation. Illinois Democrats pushed the bill through in response to the tragic 2022 Highland Park shooting, aiming to make it look like they were “doing something” about gun violence. But instead of targeting criminals, they turned their sights on ordinary Illinois residents—millions of whom legally own the very firearms banned by the bill. This isn’t about public safety; it’s about control, plain and simple. And the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) has been saying as much from the start, warning that Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature on this bill would kick off a lengthy battle over constitutional rights.
The ISRA, backed by the Second Amendment Foundation, took the fight to court, promising to go all the way to the Supreme Court if needed. And now, after months of legal wrangling, they’ve finally scored a victory. In their statement, ISRA called McGlynn’s ruling an affirmation of their stance and a win for Illinois’s firearms owners. They even had a little holiday cheer, noting that this ruling could allow gun owners to enjoy their Second Amendment rights just in time for the winter hunting season.
“Our legislative team tried to warn lawmakers about the unconstitutionality of Pritzker’s scheme,” the group stated. “After the Governor put his signature on this affront to citizen’s rights, the ISRA partnered with the Second Amendment Foundation to file suit in Federal Court with a promise to see this through to the US Supreme Court if necessary.”
“Today’s ruling affirms our legislative position and shows our dedication to fighting on behalf of the millions of law-abiding Illinois firearms owners,” they continued. “Barring any further court action, the ISRA looks forward to restoration of 2nd Amendment rights to Illinois firearms owners just in time for the holidays and winter hunting seasons.”
Of course, Illinois’s top Democrats wasted no time pledging an appeal. Governor Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul have already signaled they’re gearing up for another round, as though doubling down on unconstitutional legislation will somehow make it valid. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that every time the state loses in court, it underscores just how shaky their legal standing is. When it comes to banning guns that are widely used and legally owned across the country, Illinois Democrats might just find themselves outmatched by the Constitution.
A federal judge on Friday 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. https://t.co/kl5yNlEYlS
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 9, 2024
So here we are, once again watching as lawmakers spin their wheels, ignoring legal precedent and pretending the Second Amendment doesn’t mean what it says. But this ruling is a reminder: Americans still have rights that can’t be stripped away just because politicians find them inconvenient. McGlynn’s decision is more than a legal victory; it’s a wake-up call that the Constitution isn’t just a suggestion.
