The U.S. Supreme Court is set to confer on Friday regarding Snope v. Brown, a pivotal case challenging Maryland’s ban on so-called “assault weapons.” The case, brought by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), could have sweeping implications for Second Amendment rights across the nation.
The legal challenge is supported by the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition. Initially granted certiorari by the Supreme Court in June 2022, the case was remanded to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court following the high court’s landmark New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision. The Fourth Circuit, however, upheld Maryland’s ban, prompting the CCRKBA and its allies to petition the Supreme Court once again.
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At the heart of the case is whether modern semiautomatic rifles, such as the AR-15, are protected under the Second Amendment. The CCRKBA argues that these firearms, often labeled as “assault weapons” by critics, are among the most popular rifles in America and are used for a variety of lawful purposes, including hunting, recreation, and self-defense.
“We’re definitely hopeful the high court agrees to take this case again and schedules oral arguments soon,” said Andrew Gottlieb, CCRKBA Managing Director. “A ruling affirming the Second Amendment’s protection of modern semiautomatic rifles is long overdue.”
A ruling in favor of the CCRKBA could have immediate consequences for similar firearm bans in other states, including California, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Delaware. These bans have been the subject of intense debate, with gun rights advocates asserting that such restrictions infringe on constitutional rights.
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“The national implications of a Supreme Court ruling on Maryland’s ban cannot be overstated,” Gottlieb added. “Modern semiautomatic rifles are in common use by millions of Americans. The Second Amendment doesn’t specify which arms are protected—it simply states that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
The case arrives amid a broader national debate over gun control, following a series of legislative actions in multiple states seeking to restrict access to semiautomatic firearms. Advocates like the CCRKBA contend that such measures not only violate constitutional protections but also fail to address the root causes of gun violence.
“The emphasis anti-gunners place on the militia reference within the Second Amendment only strengthens our case,” Gottlieb argued. “These firearms are exactly the type the Founders intended to protect.”
As the Supreme Court deliberates, the outcome of Snope v. Brown could redefine the landscape of Second Amendment jurisprudence, setting a precedent that will impact gun laws and rights for years to come.
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