Supreme Court Declines Review of Maryland AR-15 Ban

Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) have filed a motion seeking to overturn Florida's ban on open carry, arguing it violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments following recent Supreme Court rulings. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declined to review Maryland's ban on AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles, upholding the Fourth Circuit's ruling that these weapons fall outside Second Amendment protections due to their classification as 'excessively dangerous.' Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas dissented, expressing a desire to address the issue nationwide, with Justice Thomas strongly criticizing the denial and emphasizing the constitutional right to bear arms. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred with the denial but signaled that the Court should address the legality of AR-15 bans in the near future, citing ongoing appeals court reviews. GOA and GOF expressed disappointment at the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the Maryland case but remain actively litigating similar challenges, including a case in Illinois, and continue lobbying for Second Amendment protections. The developments reflect an ongoing, contentious legal battle over gun rights and restrictions, with some courts upholding bans on certain firearms while advocacy groups push for expanded rights.