FPC: Appeals Court Should Uphold 2A Victory Over Illinois “Assault Weapon”, Magazine Bans

CHICAGO (June 9, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) asked the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold its critical victory over the Illinois “Protect Illinois Communities Act” (PICA) gun control regulations, which bans so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity” magazines. FPC’s brief says that the “question presented by this case is whether the Second Amendment allows Illinois to ban the best-selling rifle in America and its standard magazine. The answer,” FPC argues, “is no.”

“We were glad but unsurprised that the district court ruled PICA unconstitutional after development and review of an extensive trial record. The Seventh Circuit should apply the Supreme Court’s straightforward test and uphold our victory in this case,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. 

Individuals who want to stand against these bans and support FPC’s work to eliminate unconstitutional laws throughout the United States can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org.

Notable case documents in Harrel v. Raoul can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/harrel. FPC is joined in the litigation by FPC members as well as Illinois State Rifle Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. The plaintiffs are represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, and William V. Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, as well as David G. Sigale. FPC thanks FPC Action Foundation for its strategic support of this FPC Law case.

About FPC

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. We work to achieve our strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs. Our FPC Law program is the nation’s preeminent legal action initiative focused on restoring the right to keep and bear arms throughout the United States. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, follow FPC on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.