Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation banning certain semi-automatic firearms. The new law is to take effect July 1. It prohibits the sale and manufacture of what it describes as "assault firearms." But gun-rights groups quickly sued seeking to block the new law. The measure is one of about two dozen laws restricting or regulating guns that have been signed this year by Virginia's Democratic governor. That marks a major shift from the previous Republican administration. Spanberger said Friday that the gun limits are intended to protect families. But gun-rights groups said they violate the constitutional right to bear arms.
Guns that are antiques or replicas of antiques are not considered firearms under federal law. The United States exempts guns manufactured in or before 1898 from most regulation, saying it would be an undue burden on collectors and history buffs. Most states have adopted that federal language, meaning even convicted felons can order black powder guns over the internet. However, at least three states make no distinction between a single-shot flintlock musket and an AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle. A Revolutionary War reenactor says treating his musket the same as an assault rifle is silly because antique guns aren't the best weapon if someone wanted to commit mass violence.
The United States Postal Service is considering a rule change that would allow anyone to send handguns through the mail for the first time in nearly 100 years. A 1927 law prohibits the shipment of handguns through USPS unless they are from licensed retailers. Democratic attorneys general sent a letter in opposition to the change, arguing that it would override state gun laws and make it easier for felons and domestic abusers to access firearms. The Department of Justice, which issued an opinion in January calling the 1927 law unconstitutional, says allowing for the shipment of handguns will make it easier for lawful gun owners to transport their firearms.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is now the second longest-serving justice in history, overtaking someone who was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln. Thomas' tenure as of Thursday tops 34 years. The only justice with a longer tenure is William O. Douglas. Thomas will overtake Douglas in 2028 if he remains on the court — and there’s no sign he plans to retire anytime soon. Thomas was confirmed in 1991 after contentious hearings that included sexual harassment allegations he denied. More recently, Thomas' acceptance of luxury trips has raised ethics questions. Thomas has nevertheless gone from near-silence at oral arguments to asking the first questions and penned a landmark ruling expanding Second Amendment rights.
Chief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court justices are not “political actors.” He says justices are making decisions based on the law, not their personal policy preferences. His remarks Wednesday to a conference of judges and lawyers in Pennsylvania come a week after the court handed down a ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act. The high court has also expanded gun rights and overturned the constitutional right to abortion in recent years. Public confidence in the Supreme Court is at a low point.
A Connecticut bill that proposes banning "convertible pistols," which can be turned into machine guns, appears to be driving increased gun sales. The bill was introduced by Gov. Ned Lamont and passed the House this week. It would primarily affect the sale of Glock handguns, which are popular and can be easily modified. Critics argue the bill targets consumers instead of criminals and violates the Second Amendment. Supporters believe it pressures manufacturers to create safer designs. The bill is part of an effort to address the rise in illegal conversion devices. Data shows that estimated handgun sales increased by 19% from February to March of this year.
The National Violence Policy Center is concerned that Illinoisans with Type 07 federal firearms licenses could be evading gun laws and buying weapons in bulk.
Illinois gun owners can expect new requirements for firearm storage starting Jan. 1 after Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law promoting gun safety and supporting law enforcement.
A federal judge has overturned Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, leaning on recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strictly interpret the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms. U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn said his Friday decision applied universally, not just to the lawsuit's plaintiffs. The Protect Illinois Communities Act, signed into law in January 2023 by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, took effect Jan. 1. It bans AR-15 rifles and similar guns, large-capacity magazines and an assortment of attachments largely in response to a 2022 Independence Day shooting at a parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park. McGlynn’s order doesn’t take effect for 30 days. Pritzker pledged a swift appeal.
Authorities say the Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey was kicked out of the Army for the first of two drunken driving convictions in which he had a weapon in his car. Law enforcement experts say Sean Grayson's convictions should have raised questions when he was hired as a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Massey's July 6 death. A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues said Grayson was discharged from the Army after being convicted of driving under the influence in Illinois in 2015. Policing experts say his record should have raises concerns for police agencies hiring him.