Court Sidesteps Appeals on Delaware and Maryland Gun Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear two significant gun rights cases, avoiding direct involvement in the ongoing debate over firearm regulations. The justices rejected an appeal challenging Delaware’s prohibition on assault-style rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines, as well as an appeal against Maryland’s handgun licensing requirements.
Delaware’s Assault Weapons Ban Stands
Gun enthusiasts and advocacy groups had appealed a lower court’s decision not to issue a preliminary injunction against Delaware’s 2022 law banning semi-automatic “assault” rifles like the AR-15 and AK-47, along with magazines holding more than 17 rounds. These groups argued that the ban infringed on their Second Amendment rights. However, the Supreme Court chose not to intervene, allowing the ban to remain in place.
Maryland’s Handgun Licensing Upheld
In another case, the court declined to hear an appeal from Maryland Shall Issue and other plaintiffs challenging Maryland’s handgun licensing law. This law requires residents to obtain a qualification license, which involves fingerprinting, training, and background checks. The challengers contended that these requirements were overly burdensome and deterred individuals from exercising their gun rights. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld the law, and the Supreme Court’s decision leaves that ruling intact.
Ongoing and Future Gun Rights Cases
While the Supreme Court passed on these two cases, it still has pending appeals regarding Maryland’s assault weapon ban and Rhode Island’s large-capacity magazine restrictions. Additionally, the court is set to hear arguments in a case involving “ghost guns” and another involving a lawsuit by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers, which could have far-reaching implications for gun control and international relations.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has historically taken an expansive view of gun rights, with landmark rulings in 2008, 2010, and 2022. However, its refusal to hear these recent cases indicates a selective approach to which gun control challenges it chooses to address.
