Illinois will defend its 2023 law banning certain semi‑automatic firearms and high‑capacity magazines before the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals this Monday. The law, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, was declared unconstitutional last year by a federal district court, which found that banning commonly owned firearms violates the Second Amendment. The state and its supporters contend the law targets “dangerous and unusual” weapons amid growing concerns over mass shootings.
At a recent event called the “Zombie Shoot” held at Aurora Sportsman’s Club, gun owners voiced strong opposition to the ban. Paul Hunsicker, a local participant, said he hopes the court will “squash” the law. He expressed frustration that his constitutional rights have been curtailed and suggested compliance is rare among gun owners affected by the law. Another attendee, Anibal Amezquita, asserted that criminals will ignore the law regardless, while law‑abiding citizens are left restricted.
The ban covers over 170 models of semi‑automatic firearms and limits on magazines exceeding certain capacities. Its defenders argue it’s a necessary step to prevent gun violence and protect public safety. Those challenging the law maintain that it unfairly criminalizes lawful gun owners and infringes on constitutional rights. The Department of Justice has signaled support for the plaintiffs in its role as amicus, arguing the law may be unconstitutional under recent Second Amendment precedent.
As the Seventh Circuit prepares to hear arguments, legal analysts say the case will test judgment calls about how to balance public safety with constitutional protections. Key questions include whether the banned firearms are “commonly used for law‑abiding purposes” and whether the historical tradition of gun regulation allows such laws. The case could have major implications for similar bans across the U.S.
