Pro-gun groups warn Supreme Court that ‘assault weapons’ bans revert rights to the 19th century

Published September 8, 2026 3:37pm ET | Updated September 8, 2026 3:37pm ET



A coalition of pro-gun groups claims that state “assault weapons” bans try to keep Second Amendment rights stuck in the 19th century, submitting filings ahead of the Supreme Court’s December oral arguments weighing the legality of a pair of these sweeping bans.

The consolidated cases in Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins will deal with whether assault weapons bans, which typically outlaw the purchase of AR-15 and similar semiautomatic rifles, are constitutional under the Second and 14th amendments. The two cases are over laws in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut, but are similar to laws in various other states that will be affected by the high court’s eventual ruling. A brief filed to the Supreme Court arguing the laws are unconstitutional warns that broadly banning popular modern firearms, such as AR-15 style guns, would be incompatible with federal law and set Second Amendment rights back hundreds of years.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.