Overview

• The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block a law in Illinois that bans 'assault weapons', allowing the law to take effect on January 1.
• The law, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, restricts the sale and purchase of semi-automatic 'assault weapons', including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
• Citizens who already own weapons covered by the law are required to register with the Illinois State Police by January 1.
• The law was passed following a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park in 2022.
• Despite the Supreme Court's decision, a large number of sheriffs in Illinois' 102 counties have warned that they will refuse to enforce the gun ban in their jurisdictions.