The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear two key gun rights cases, leaving in place lower court rulings that upheld Delaware’s ban on assault-style rifles and large-capacity magazines, as well as Maryland’s handgun licensing law. By refusing to take up the appeals, the Court avoided weighing in on the broader and politically charged national debate over the scope of Second Amendment rights.
In the Delaware case, a coalition of gun owners, dealers, and advocacy groups challenged the state’s 2022 law that bans semiautomatic rifles such as the AR-15 and AK-47, along with magazines capable of holding more than 17 rounds. While those who possessed these items before the law took effect may keep them under certain conditions, the sale of new weapons and magazines is prohibited. A federal judge denied the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction, and the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling, emphasizing that such injunctions should only be issued in extraordinary circumstances.
The Maryland case focused on a 2013 state law that requires most residents to obtain a qualification license before purchasing a handgun. Applicants must complete fingerprinting, undergo a background check, and finish safety training. Opponents argue the process is overly burdensome and delays the exercise of constitutional rights. However, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, agreeing that it promotes public safety and does not violate the Second Amendment.
Although the Court chose not to intervene in these two cases, it is still active in other gun-related matters. Justices have agreed to hear arguments in cases involving “ghost guns” and a lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S. gun manufacturers. These cases could have significant legal and international implications.
With a 6–3 conservative majority, the Supreme Court has taken an originalist approach to gun rights in recent landmark rulings. The Court previously struck down the federal ban on bump stocks and issued major Second Amendment decisions in 2008, 2010, and 2022, further shaping the legal landscape of American gun laws.
