A challenge to Cook County's ban on automatic and semi-automatic firearms - often called "assault weapons" - is now headed before the nation's highest court.
The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed Tuesday that justices intend to hear arguments this fall in the case of Viramontes vs. Cook County, which was filed back in 2021 to fight the county's ban on AR-15 and similar weapons. It's been on the books since 1993 and was updated in 2006 when the federal Brady gun law expired.
It was filed by two gun owners in Cook County, Cutberto Viramontes and Christopher Khaya, who claimed that the ban illegally prevented them from exercising their Second Amendment rights. The lawsuit also claims that because the ban targets the most popular rifle in the U.S., it essentially serves as a ban on all firearms.
A statement from the office of Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke quotes her as saying in part that her office will "not back down" from defending the county's longstanding ban. It also describes the firearms covered by the ban as "weapons of war that have no place in our communities." She says she will defend "this lawful ordinance."
A date for arguments has not been set.
Law targets AR-15, other "assault" weapons; prosecutor says she'll defend it
Law targets AR-15, other "assault" weapons; prosecutor says she'll defend it
