SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – We’ll find out Friday morning how the Illinois Supreme Court feels about the state’s new assault weapons ban.
The Illinois Supreme Court will issue its ruling on whether the ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines is constitutional, though a federal appeals court is also deciding on the ban.
Governor JB Pritzker was asked about the potential ruling while officially opening the Illinois State Fair in Springfield Thursday.
“I’m hopeful, but no idea how they’ll resolve it,” said Pritzker. “It does matter what happens at the state level in state court, but ultimately the Supreme Court likely will be ruling on this. So, whatever happens there, will ultimately, I hate to use the word, trump whatever happens in our state courts.”
Pritzker, however, says if the legal challenges make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, he’s concerned.
“As of late, the appointees to the Supreme Court – the U.S. Supreme Court – are people who, unfortunately, want to take away the rights of parade-goers and people who live in our neighborhoods to live safely, and to not have assault weapons that are attacking their local communities,” said Pritzker.
The ban, if released from the temporary restraining order putting it on hold, also would require those who currently own so-called “assault rifles” to register them with Illinois State Police.
The Illinois Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision in Caulkins v. Pritzker (assault weapons ban case) on Friday, Aug. 11. https://t.co/S6gJ1dqMWR
— Illinois Supreme Court (@illinoiscourts) August 10, 2023
