Second Amendment Extremists Dismiss Case Against Assault Weapons Ban in Highland Park, Illinois

The Second Amendment Extremists’ Capitulation Underscores And Validates The Power Local Communities Hold In The Fight To Reduce Gun Violence.

Washington, D.C., February 7, 2024 – The gun rights movement has dropped its lawsuit against the City of Highland Park’s long-standing assault weapons and large-capacity magazine ban. In the wake of the 2022 Highland Park shooting that killed seven people and injured dozens of others, the National Association for Gun Rights alleged that Highland Park’s ordinance was unconstitutional. Brady represents the City of Highland Park in the lawsuit, alongside Elrod Friedman LLP and Sidley Austin LLP.

Kris Brown, president of Brady, said:

“This dismissal is a major win for the movement to protect communities from gun violence. Highland Park’s assault weapons and large-capacity magazine bans are appropriate, sensible measures to prevent these high-powered weapons of war from wreaking havoc on communities. Defying common sense, Second Amendment extremists argued that repealing these bans would make them feel safer. Their reasoning defies logic and only serves the gun industry that has brainwashed them into trying to tear down these laws.

“We wish the gun industry and extremists would stop wasting our time with frivolous lawsuits that challenge gun safety laws that are so often upheld by the courts. Today’s victory should send a message to all local and state leaders considering passing common sense legislation to protect their communities and prevent gun violence. Go ahead and do it.”

Nancy Rotering, Mayor of Highland Park, said:

"In 2013, Highland Park was proud to take decisive action against gun violence by passing an ordinance to ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in our town. Then as now, it is a clear articulation of one of our community's core values: that every person has a right to live free from the threat and fear of gun violence. It is incumbent upon all of us to fight the devastating impact of gun violence by pursuing policies that will end mass shootings across the nation."

Brady won against a previous attack on the City of Highland Park’s assault weapons ban in 2015, when the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the city’s ordinance, ruling that it did not violate the Second Amendment. Brady also successfully represented the Village of Deerfield, Illinois, in lawsuits challenging its local assault weapon bans.

Assault weapons, paired with large-capacity magazines, are often the weapon of choice for public mass shooters. In shootings where assault weapons or large-capacity magazines are used, 155 percent more people are shot, and 47 percent more people are killed. Currently, 10 states and Washington, D.C, ban assault weapons, and two more regulate elements of their possession or purchase.