With the nation holding its breath, Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s new bombshell signal hints that the Supreme Court will soon take on a monumental decision: the constitutionality of banning AR-15 rifles.
See the tweet below!
Despite the court’s choice to sideline the issue this week, the fate of the Second Amendment rights remains in the hands of America’s highest judicial authority.
The Supreme Court has upheld Maryland’s ban on assault-style weapons, alongside Rhode Island’s ban on high-capacity magazines.
Both issues linger as potential items on the Court’s future docket.
Justice Kavanaugh hinted a decision on AR-15 bans is on the horizon due to ongoing challenges in lower courts.
Gun rights supporters have long argued that banning such weapons infringes upon constitutional rights, citing their popularity and common use among millions of Americans.
Justices Alito, Gorsuch, and Thomas showed a readiness to hear the case.
Justice Clarence Thomas stressed the critical nature of this issue for AR-15 owners, while Justice Kavanaugh noted further consideration by lower courts could benefit the Supreme Court’s future judgment.
Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett remained silent on the matter.
Maryland defends its ban by referencing historical regulations of dangerous weapons, while gun advocates argue that AR-15s have been traditionally allowed.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Maryland’s ban, viewing the AR-15 as an excessively dangerous weapon outside of the Second Amendment’s shelter—a ruling Kavanaugh finds “questionable.”
“Given that millions of Americans own AR-15s and that a significant majority of the states allow possession of those rifles, petitioners have a strong argument that AR-15s are in ‘common use’ by law-abiding citizens and therefore are protected by the Second Amendment,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated.
The Supreme Court has previously emphasized that restrictions on firearms must adhere to historic traditions, a metric that complicates matters for lower courts.
Maryland’s current law, implemented post-Sandy Hook in 2012, encompasses 45 specific guns or analogues.
Similar laws exist in eight other states and the District of Columbia.
While Justice Thomas criticizes the delay, he contends the AR-15 issue is too crucial to postpone, given its widespread ownership.
Rhode Island’s law, prohibiting magazines that hold over 10 rounds, also enjoys backing from the courts.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the law consistent with traditional rules targeted towards dangerous weapons.
Rhode Island’s Attorney General argues against Supreme Court intervention, claiming the case requires further development.
However, opponents caution that upholding such bans could render any firearm vulnerable to regulation.
“I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America. That question is of critical importance to tens of millions of law-abiding AR-15 owners throughout the country,” said Justice Clarence Thomas, cited by USA Today.
The Supreme Court’s next steps will impact not just legal precedents but also the lives and rights of millions of Americans.
This pivotal decision will define where the line is drawn on gun ownership and constitutional safeguarding.
The nation waits with bated breath for the justices to decide if the state’s reach has gone too far.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Supreme Court declines to hear cases challenging “assault weapons” bans & magazine limits. But, Justice Kavanaugh gives gun owners some hope with this statement:
"[T]his Court should and presumably will address the AR-15 issue soon, in the next Term or two." pic.twitter.com/LXq2zPw38Z— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) June 2, 2025
