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Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) celebrated a significant legal victory last week as a federal court issued a permanent injunction against the State of Illinois’ Protect Illinois Communities Act.
This controversial law had imposed a sweeping ban on numerous semi-automatic rifles, standard capacity magazines, and bump stocks, and added new registration requirements for gun owners.
The court’s ruling found these measures to violate the Second Amendment.
GOA and GOF initially filed their lawsuit in January 2023 and quickly secured a preliminary injunction against the Act.
However, that ruling was blocked by the 7th Federal Circuit Court, sparking today’s final, decisive ruling in favor of the plaintiffs.
🚨BREAKING🚨
— Gun Owners Foundation (@GunFoundation) November 8, 2024
GOF and @GunOwners won a PERMANENT INJUNCTION against Illinois' so-called "assault weapons" ban and magazine capacity limits. The ruling is stayed for 30 days. pic.twitter.com/gMvMqiwnBW
Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, welcomed the decision.
“This week just keeps getting better for gun owners and worse for anti-gunners like J.B. Pritzker. We warned them to fall in line, but instead they chose to do the opposite,” he said in a press release obtained by GunsAmerica.
“And, while this case took time, we are thrilled with the victory and for the citizens of Illinois,” he continued. “We the People deserve the right to decide how best to protect ourselves and our loved ones, not anti-gun tyrants.”
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Sam Paredes, representing GOF’s board, echoed this sentiment, calling it a “proud” moment for the organization.
“This is incredible news, and we’re so proud to have played a major part in defeating this egregious violation of the Second Amendment. No doubt Governor Pritzker will appeal, but we are fully prepared to hold him accountable to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” Paredes said.
While Illinois’ Protect Illinois Communities Act faced mounting opposition from gun rights groups since its enactment, today’s ruling marks a major setback for the law’s proponents.
The State of Illinois is going to appeal the decision, but GOA and GOF have expressed confidence in defending this ruling and protecting 2A rights for gun owners in Illinois and beyond.
As always, stay tuned for updates.
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Appeal filed in 3, 2, 1….Plus an application for a stay pending appeal, which, if the past actions of the 7th are any indication, will be granted.That 30 day stay will last for at least two years, perhaps followed by another stay when the inevitable appeal to the SCOTUS is filed after the 7th reverses. Or it will get stayed while the Maryland AW ban case is pending before SCOTUS (which is usually what the Ninth Circuit does whle it awaits “further guidance” from the High Court.