Brady Statement on SCOTUS Refusal to Stop Naperville, IL and Statewide Assault Weapons Ban

Washington, D.C., May 17, 2023 – Today, the Supreme Court denied a gun industry request to halt an assault weapons ban in Illinois and a ban on the commercial sale of assault weapons in the city of Naperville, which were passed in response to the deadly mass shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park last year. Brady, the oldest national gun violence prevention organization, serves as counsel for the city of Naperville in the lawsuit.

Brady President Kris Brown stated:

“With its refusal to supply the gun industry with an emergency injunction, the Supreme Court has allowed the state of Illinois and its cities to keep fighting for safer communities. This is an important victory in the fight to end gun violence.

“When the victims of the Highland Park shooting were gunned down by an assault weapon, their local and state leaders took a stand to say enough is enough. The gun industry feels threatened by the groundswell of voices trying to hold them accountable, and after today, they should feel even more unsteady.

“States and cities should have the right to stop these weapons of war from decimating our communities. We don’t have to live in fear of the gun industry, and we stand with Illinois and Naperville in their fight. ”

Brady Chief Legal Officer Douglas Letter stated:

“This case is an example of the gun industry undermining the knowledge and needs of all those residing in Illinois. By trying to stop this ban, the gun industry is once again putting profits over safety.

“This fight is not over. Having been denied a request for an emergency injunction from the Supreme Court, the gun industry’s case will now head back to the Seventh Circuit, where we intend to keep pursuing justice.”