Federal judge upholds Second Amendment rights in Illinois

On By Pranco

**Victory for the Second Amendment: Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban**

In a landmark ruling for gun rights advocates, a federal judge has declared Illinois’ assault weapons ban unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn blocked enforcement of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), a law signed by Democratic Governor JB Pritzker earlier this year.

The decision came after plaintiffs argued that the ban violated their Second Amendment rights.

In his ruling, Judge McGlynn emphasized the importance of self-defense, stating: “The government may not deprive law-abiding citizens of the guaranteed right to self-defense as a criminal offense.”

The decision marks a major victory for Second Amendment supporters, many of whom have long opposed restrictive gun control measures that they say threaten individual liberties.

The Illinois law banned more than 29,000 AR-15 gun owners from owning semiautomatic firearms and defined them as “assault weapons.”

A common firearm among American gun owners, the AR-15 is often used for both self-defense and recreational purposes.

National surveys show that approximately 16 million Americans own an AR-15, further underscoring the popularity of this weapon category.

Judge McGlynn’s ruling is expected to prompt an appeal from government officials amid ongoing debates over gun control and public safety.

Governor Pritzker had previously defended PICA as necessary legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and preventing tragedies similar to school shootings.

Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association (NRA), which supported the plaintiffs in the case, praised the judge’s decision as a triumph for the rights of gun owners and the constitutional protections afforded them.

As the fight for gun rights continues, this ruling not only strengthens the Second Amendment, but also serves as a reminder of the divided landscape surrounding gun legislation in America today.

Sources:
slaynews.com
politics.eu
washingtonexaminer.com