Awaiting order Updated 16 days ago
Where it stands
Connecticut assault weapons challenge. Distributed for the Sep 28 conference; no order confirmed yet.
The legal question
Whether Connecticut's assault weapons restrictions are consistent with the Second Amendment.
In legal terms
These laws ban rifles, usually AR-15 style, by a list of features such as a pistol grip, or by model name.
States say these rifles are too dangerous and function like military arms. Challengers say they are the most popular rifles in America, used for sport and home defense, and so are protected.
What this means, in plain English
These laws ban rifles, usually AR-15 style, by a list of features such as a pistol grip, or by model name.
States say these rifles are too dangerous and function like military arms. Challengers say they are the most popular rifles in America, used for sport and home defense, and so are protected.
Overlaps with the granted Grant v. Higgins. The Court may hold or deny it depending on what it does with that case.
Timeline
Key terms
- Certiorari ("cert")
- The Supreme Court chooses most of its cases. A losing party files a petition asking it to take the case. Four of the nine justices must vote to grant it. Most petitions are denied, and a denial is not a ruling on the merits.
- Hold
- The Court sets a petition aside until it decides a related case, then acts on it in light of that ruling.
- Bruen (2022)
- The Supreme Court case that struck down New York's rule requiring a special reason to get a carry permit. It set the test courts use today: if the Second Amendment's text covers what you did, the government must show its law fits the country's historical tradition of firearm regulation.
States affected
Related
Viramontes v. Cook County
Cert granted Jun 30, 2026. Challenge to the Cook County assault weapons ordinance. Decision is typically issued by the end of June 2027.
Grant v. Higgins
Cert granted Jun 30, 2026. Challenge to Connecticut's ban on AR-15-style rifles, from the Second Circuit. Argued together with Viramontes in one hour on Dec 2, 2026.
Sources: court dockets, the Federal Register, DOJ releases and Congress.gov. Informational only, not legal advice. Items marked Unverified are awaiting review.