Federal Appeals Court Upholds Illinois Assault Weapons Ban, Reversing Lower-Court Ruling

The Independent (UK)—A federal appeals court reinstated Illinois' assault weapons ban, upholding the state's authority to prohibit semiautomatic weapons and overturning a lower court ruling that had struck the law down. The decision was a major victory for gun control advocates and Illinois officials who had defended the law since it was passed following several mass shootings. Legal experts said the ruling could have implications for similar laws in other states, though the issue is likely to continue working toward the Supreme Court. Gun rights advocates vowed to appeal the decision.

• The Independent (UK) — The federal appeals ruling reinstated Illinois' semiautomatic weapons ban, overturning a prior decision
• ABC News — Politics — The appellate court upheld the semiautomatic weapons ban, reversing a lower-court ruling
• CBS News — A federal appeals court upheld Illinois' ban on assault weapons