4th Circuit rules on assault weapons

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Maryland's ban on assault-style weapons, stating that such military-style firearms are not protected under the Second Amendment as they are designed for combat and not self-defense. The ruling was a 10-5 decision, with the majority opinion arguing that the law aligns with historical firearms regulation traditions. In dissent, Judge Julius N. Richardson contended that the Second Amendment should not be subject to judicial discretion, asserting its absolute mandate. The Second Amendment Foundation announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the ruling misinterprets previous Supreme Court decisions, including Heller and Bruen. Maryland's law, enacted following the Sandy Hook shooting, bans numerous firearms and limits magazine capacities to 10 rounds. Gun rights advocates maintain that the decision is a significant setback and signal their intent to challenge the ruling at the highest court.