The Supreme Court refuses to block an Illinois law banning some high-power semiautomatic weapons

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to suspend a new Illinois law that would ban high-powered semiautomatic weapons like those used in the massacre of seven people during a 2022 parade in a Chicago suburb.

The justices made no comment in rejecting an emergency appeal from a gun rights group and others.

The law prohibits the possession, manufacture or sale of semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. It will come into effect on January 1.

Last month, a three-judge panel of the 7th District U.S. Court of Appeals voted 2-1 in favor of the law, rejecting a request from gun rights groups to block it. The Illinois Supreme Court separately upheld the law in a 4-3 decision in August.

At least eight other states and the District of Columbia have some sort of ban on semiautomatic weapons, and several cases challenging these laws are making their way through the federal courts, based at least in part on the Supreme Court's 2022 decision that the expanded gun rights. .

The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and pistols, including the popular AR-15, .50-caliber rifles, attachments and rapid-fire devices. No rifle may hold more than 10 rounds, with a 15 round limit for pistols.

Those who owned such weapons and accessories when the law took effect must register them, including serial numbers, with the Illinois State Police. That process started on October 1.