Trump appointee Stephen McGlynn rules that ban enacted in wake of deadly Highland Park attack is unconstitutional
A federal judge in Illinois who was appointed during Donald Trump’s first presidency has struck down the state’s assault weapons ban as unconstitutional.
Judge Stephen McGlynn also issued an order barring the state from enforcing the ban, though Illinois has time to appeal the ruling after he stayed it for 30 days.
McGlynn’s opinion suggested that property crimes were rising across the country as a result of assault weapon bans, despite no data to suggest a link between the two. He purports that the ban violates the constitutional rights to bear arms and equal protection under the law.
The 168-page opinion states that it is “particularly disturbing” that the “prohibition of weapons that are commonly owned and used by citizens are now banned, depriving citizens of a principal means to defend themselves and their property” and refers to situations where “a handgun or shotgun alone would not be the citizen’s preferred arm”.
