Supreme Court turns away challenge to state bans on assault weapons
The Supreme Court turned away another challenge to state laws banning the sale of rapid-fire assault weapons on Monday, a victory for gun control supporters at a time of heightened public concern over the issue.
Without comment or a dissent, the justices dismissed appeals from gun-rights advocates in Connecticut and New York who contended the state bans violated their rights under the 2nd Amendment.
The court’s action came as no surprise. In December, the justices had turned down a similar appeal in a case from Highland Park, Ill., but over the dissents of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
TRAIL GUIDE: All the latest news on the 2016 presidential campaign >>
The high court’s refusal to even consider the claim that the 2nd Amendment includes the right to own a rapid-fire weapon strongly suggest the majority of justices see the Constitution’s protection of gun rights as more limited than many gun-rights advocates maintain.
In 2008 and 2010, the justices struck down ordinances in Washington, D.C., and Chicago that banned the private possession of handguns at home.
But the court has declined several opportunities to extend its ruling to protect other rights asserted by gun owners. The court has repeatedly refused to hear appeals from gun-rights advocates who claimed a constitutional right to carry a weapon in public or to buy rapid-fire weapons.
The U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upheld the state laws in Connecticut and New York, and the justices said Monday in Shew vs. Malloy that they would not review that decision.
ALSO
Sanders’ delegates in California cling to their dream, unfazed by math
Joe Biden to target Donald Trump on foreign policy
On Twitter: DavidGSavage
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
