When the Supreme Court meets later today to discuss pending petitions for review, the justices’ conference calendar will include a pivotal Second Amendment case: Kolbe v. Hogan.
In Kolbe v. Hogan, the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Maryland’s ban of semiautomatic rifles and detachable ammunition magazines that exceed ten rounds. In doing so, the Fourth Circuit became the fourth federal appellate court to uphold the constitutionality of a ban on “assault” weapons and large-capacity magazines. The Second, Seventh, and District of Columbia circuits have previously upheld similar bans, and, to date, the Supreme Court has refused to enter the fray.
But Kolbe v. Hogan will likely force the justices’ hand. Here’s why.
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But should the Supreme Court grant the petition for review, as I predict, gun-rights activists should temper any premature celebration. Public pressure to uphold “assault” weapon and high-capacity magazine bans will be great, and as Justice Thomas stressed: “If a broad ban on firearms can be upheld based on conjecture that the public might feel safer (while being no safer at all), then the Second Amendment guarantees nothing.”
If The Supreme Court Takes This Gun Control Case, Its Decision Will Be Huge
When the Supreme Court meets today to discuss pending petitions for review, the justices’ conference calendar will include a pivotal Second Amendment case.
In Kolbe v. Hogan, the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Maryland’s ban of semiautomatic rifles and detachable ammunition magazines that exceed ten rounds. In doing so, the Fourth Circuit became the fourth federal appellate court to uphold the constitutionality of a ban on “assault” weapons and large-capacity magazines. The Second, Seventh, and District of Columbia circuits have previously upheld similar bans, and, to date, the Supreme Court has refused to enter the fray.
But Kolbe v. Hogan will likely force the justices’ hand. Here’s why.
[clip]
But should the Supreme Court grant the petition for review, as I predict, gun-rights activists should temper any premature celebration. Public pressure to uphold “assault” weapon and high-capacity magazine bans will be great, and as Justice Thomas stressed: “If a broad ban on firearms can be upheld based on conjecture that the public might feel safer (while being no safer at all), then the Second Amendment guarantees nothing.”
If The Supreme Court Takes This Gun Control Case, Its Decision Will Be Huge
When the Supreme Court meets today to discuss pending petitions for review, the justices’ conference calendar will include a pivotal Second Amendment case.