Illinois & Connecticut: The Supreme Court takes up AR-15 bans

The short version

• On Dec. 2, 2026, the Supreme Court hears one question: "Whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee the right to possess AR-15 platform and similar semiautomatic rifles." (question presented)
• The case challenges two laws: Cook County, Illinois (which includes Chicago) and Connecticut.
• The ruling is about rifles only. It does not decide magazine limits, or the parts of these laws that cover pistols and shotguns.
• A decision is expected by late June 2027. Until then, both laws stay in force.

What these laws ban

Cook County, Illinois

• Banned: making, selling, giving, lending, buying, carrying or owning an "assault weapon" or a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds anywhere in the county.
• Which rifles count: more than 100 rifles listed by name, including the AR-15 and AK-47 families and copies of them, plus any semiautomatic rifle that can take a magazine of more than 10 rounds and has at least one of these: a pistol grip with no stock; a forward grip for the other hand; a folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock; a barrel shroud; or a muzzle brake or compensator. Any semi-auto rifle with a built-in magazine over 10 rounds also counts.
• No grandfathering. People who already owned these guns had 60 days to take them out of the county, permanently disable them, or turn them in to the sheriff.
• Penalty: a fine of $5,000 to $10,000 and up to 6 months in jail. Repeat violations carry higher fines.

Connecticut

• Banned: selling, giving, bringing into the state, or owning an "assault weapon." Selling one is a class C felony; owning one is a class D felony. Magazines over 10 rounds are also banned.
• Which rifles count: a long list by name, including the AR-15, AR-10 and AK-47 families and copies of them, plus any semiautomatic centerfire rifle that takes a detachable magazine and has at least one of these: a folding or telescoping stock; a pistol grip or thumbhole stock; a forward grip; a flash suppressor; or a grenade or flare launcher. A semi-auto centerfire rifle with a built-in magazine over 10 rounds, or shorter than 30 inches overall, also counts.
• Grandfathering: people who owned these guns legally before each ban could keep them if they registered for a certificate of possession by the deadline. Most of those guns can't be sold or given to anyone in the state.
• A 2023 law expanded the ban to more semiautomatic firearms, including some with arm braces.

What these laws do not ban

• Most hunting and sporting guns: bolt-action, lever-action and pump-action rifles; shotguns without the listed features; and most handguns.
• Semiautomatic rifles without the listed features (and not on the named lists). In Connecticut, the feature test applies only to centerfire rifles, so most .22 rimfire rifles aren't covered by it.
• Guns that are permanently disabled, antiques, and (in Cook County) guns made for Olympic target events.
• Some magazines: ones permanently altered to hold 10 or fewer rounds, .22 tube magazines, and tube magazines on lever-action rifles.
• Police and the military are exempt under both laws while on duty.

What the ruling could mean

• If the Court says these rifles are protected: Cook County's and Connecticut's rifle bans would likely be struck down, and similar bans in other states and cities would face strong challenges. Lawmakers would have a much harder time passing new rifle bans, including proposals like the one Minnesota debated in 2026. Magazine limits would not automatically end; they would need their own case.
• If the Court says they are not protected: both bans stay, and other states and cities could pass similar laws with less legal risk.
• If the Court rules narrowly, on a technical issue or only part of the question, the big question could stay open for a future case.

Note: Illinois also has its own statewide ban (720 ILCS 5/24-1.9, passed in 2023). It is separate from this case, but a ruling on the rifle question would matter for laws like it, too.

The twist

The lead challenger in the Cook County case, Cutberto Viramontes, asked to drop out on Oct. 29. On Nov. 5, Cook County argued that leaves no one with the right to bring the case and asked the Court to dismiss it (Cook County's filing). The challengers answered on Nov. 11 that the case is still live. Even the county's filing notes that the Connecticut case keeps the question in front of the Court, so a ruling on the main question is still likely.

Also: Maryland

On Nov. 13, the justices considered whether to hear Novotny v. Moore (No. 25-1324), which asks "Whether Maryland's numerous prohibitions on carrying firearms in many places frequented by the general public violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments." If they take it, another major carry case would likely be argued within the next year. If they say no, Maryland's rules and the Fourth Circuit's Jan. 20, 2026 ruling stay in place. The answer may come as early as Monday, Nov. 16. (docket)

Full details

Timeline

• June 30, 2026: The Court agreed to hear Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238) together with Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut), limited to the rifle question.
• Sept. 4, 2026: Argument set for Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026.
• Oct. 21: Cook County and Connecticut filed their briefs.
• Oct. 29: Viramontes asked to be dismissed from the case. His motion gives no reason and says the other challengers are staying in.
• Nov. 5: Cook County filed a suggestion of mootness.
• Nov. 9: The Court let the U.S. Solicitor General take part in the argument (order list).
• Nov. 11: The challengers responded, with sworn declarations.

Who filed friend-of-the-court briefs

• Supporting the challengers: U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (TX-R), Jim Justice (WV-R), Mike Lee (UT-R), Cynthia Lummis (WY-R) and Jim Risch (ID-R); Tennessee, Kansas and 25 other states; and many groups. The United States also filed a brief.
• Supporting Cook County and Connecticut: U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (IL-D), Richard Blumenthal (CT-D) and Adam Schiff (CA-D) with other members of Congress; Massachusetts, New Jersey, 16 other states and D.C.; and many groups.

Pistols and shotguns (not part of the Supreme Court question)

• Cook County: a semi-auto pistol that takes a detachable magazine counts if it has one of these: a forward grip; a folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock; a barrel shroud; a muzzle brake or compensator; or a magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip. Pistols with a built-in magazine over 10 rounds also count. A semi-auto shotgun counts if it has a pistol grip with no stock, a forward grip, a folding/telescoping/thumbhole stock, a built-in magazine over 5 rounds, a detachable magazine, or a grenade, flare or rocket launcher. Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder counts.
• Connecticut: a semi-auto pistol that takes a detachable magazine counts if it has one of these: a magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip, a threaded barrel, a barrel shroud, or a second hand grip; pistols with a built-in magazine over 10 rounds also count, and some pistols are listed by name. A semi-auto shotgun counts if it has both a folding or telescoping stock and a pistol grip, or if it takes a detachable magazine. Shotguns with a revolving cylinder count.

Read the Fawn Print covers what laws and court filings actually say. It is not legal advice. Short link: willythewhitetail.com/f2