{"id":3292,"date":"2026-07-10T22:53:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=3292"},"modified":"2026-07-10T22:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:53:54","slug":"federal-appeals-court-upholds-controversial-illinois-gun-control-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=3292","title":{"rendered":"Federal appeals court upholds controversial Illinois gun control law"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">A federal appeals court upheld a controversial <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2401\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/us-regions\/midwest\/illinois\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Illinois<\/a> gun control law that largely bans assault weapons.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">The <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2402\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/judiciary\/federal-courts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Court of Appeals<\/a> for the 7th Circuit decision issued on Thursday slapped down a district court decision that declared the ban unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Among other things, the Act criminalizes the manufacture, sale, delivery, purchase, and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. A grandfather clause permits preexisting lawful owners of the regulated items to continue possessing them,&#8221; the Thursday <a href=\"https:\/\/media.ca7.uscourts.gov\/cgi-bin\/OpinionsWeb\/processWebInputExternal.pl?Submit=Display&amp;Path=Y2026\/D07-09\/C:24-3060:J:St__Eve:aut:T:fnOp:N:3571193:S:0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">decision<\/a> noted.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2404\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/us-judge-tosses-illinois-ban-semiautomatic-weapons-governor-pledges-swift-appeal\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>US JUDGE TOSSES ILLINOIS&#8217; BAN ON SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPONS, GOVERNOR PLEDGES SWIFT APPEAL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Guns\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P-15 semi-automatic rifles of the AR-15 style are displayed during the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, Texas, on May 28, 2022.<\/span> <span>(PATRICK T. FALLON\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;For reasons that follow, we focus on the Act\u2019s application to AR-15s and thirty-round rifle magazines. The Act\u2019s restrictions on these items, we hold, are consistent with the principles that underpin our Nation\u2019s tradition of firearm regulation. Whether to adopt them is thus a decision reposed in our elected representatives, and we reverse,&#8221; the decision declared.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Chief Judge Michael Brennan dissented from the panel&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Our Nation\u2019s enduring traditions forbid governments from prohibiting firearms commonly owned for self-defense. Because the people have overwhelmingly chosen the AR-15 rifle and its magazine as their weapon of choice, they are protected by the <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2405\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/personal-freedoms\/second-amendment\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Second Amendment<\/a>,&#8221; Brennan wrote.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Illinois\u2019s ban goes too far and should be enjoined as unconstitutional. I respectfully dissent,&#8221; he noted.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Illinois Gov. <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2406\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/jb-pritzker\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">JB Pritzker<\/a>, a Democrat who signed the controversial law in early 2023, hailed the court&#8217;s decision.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2407\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/doj-targets-spanberger-newsom-gun-laws-twin-lawsuits-scotus-affirms-second-amendment-rights\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>DOJ TARGETS SPANBERGER, NEWSOM GUN LAWS WITH TWIN LAWSUITS AFTER SCOTUS AFFIRMS SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/illinois-governor-pritzker-june-2026.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/illinois-governor-pritzker-june-2026.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/illinois-governor-pritzker-june-2026.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/illinois-governor-pritzker-june-2026.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/illinois-governor-pritzker-june-2026.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Illinoi Gov. JB Pritzker\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker holds a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to sign the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act (HB 5295) into law.<\/span> <span>(Terrence Antonio James\/Chicago Tribune\/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;BREAKING: The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Protect IL Communities Act. Illinois will continue banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines capable of inflicting mass casualties. A victory in the fight to end gun violence that helps keep our communities safe,&#8221; the governor said in a Thursday <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2408\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GovPritzker\/status\/2075318393318543574\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">post<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">State Attorney General Kwame Raoul also celebrated the decision.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;This is a win that enhances public safety in Illinois. We have seen the damage that assault weapons and large-capacity magazines can inflict, and these weapons of war have no place in our communities,&#8221; he said in a Thursday <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2409\" href=\"https:\/\/illinoisattorneygeneral.gov\/news\/story\/attorney-general-raoul-statement-on-appellate-court-upholding-state-ban-on-assault-weapons-large-capacity-magazines\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">statement<\/a>. &#8220;My office has successfully defended the state\u2019s prohibition on these weapons in both state and federal court, and I am immensely proud of the hardworking attorneys in my office who have worked diligently to preserve this critical public safety measure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2410\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/inside-trumps-unprecedented-battle-plan-expand-second-amendment-rights-justice-department\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INSIDE TRUMP&#8217;S UNPRECEDENTED BATTLE PLAN TO EXPAND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/ar-15-style-gun-may-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/ar-15-style-gun-may-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/ar-15-style-gun-may-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/ar-15-style-gun-may-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/ar-15-style-gun-may-2022.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"AR-15-style gun\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Stag Arms AR-15 style semi-automatic rifles are displayed during the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, Texas on May 28, 2022.<\/span> <span>(PATRICK T. FALLON\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) was displeased by the decision.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;NSSF is a plaintiff in this case and plans on filing a cert petition with the U.S. Supreme Court,&#8221; the group noted in a <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_2412\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/nssf-statement-on-7th-circuit-barnett-ruling\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">statemen<\/a>t on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal appeals court upheld a controversial Illinois gun control law that largely bans assault weapons. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit decision issued on Thursday slapped down a district court decision that declared the ban unconstitutional. &#8220;Among other things, the Act criminalizes the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/a3463748-ar-15-style-guns-2022.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}