A federal judge overturned Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, leaning on recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strictly interpret the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms.  The constitution is clear.

     U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn issued the lengthy finding in a decree that he said applied universally, not just to the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit challenging the ban. U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn issued the lengthy finding in a decree that he said applied universally, not just to the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit challenging the ban.  

     "Sadly, there are those who seek to usher in a sort of post-Constitution era where the citizens’ individual rights are only as important as they are convenient to a ruling class," McGlynn, who was appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, wrote in his opinion. "The oft-quoted phrase that ‘no right is absolute’ does not mean that fundamental rights precariously subsist subject to the whims, caprice, or appetite of government officials or judges."  Pritzker and Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul pledged to swiftly appeal the ruling.

     "Despite those who value weapons of war more than public safety, this law was enacted to and has protected Illinoisans from the constant fear of being gunned down in places where they ought to feel secure," Pritzker spokesman Alex Gough said. The Illinois State Rifle Association, in a post on its website, said, "Our legislative team tried to warn lawmakers about the unconstitutionality of Pritzker’s scheme."