Illinois assault weapon ban kept in place by US Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Wednesday to block the Illinois "assault weapons" ban from being enforced as its constitutional status is being considered in lower courts.  

This ruling comes after a gun shop owner in Illinois requested an injunction against the ban.

There were no noted dissents and the request for an injunction went to Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, which was passed on Jan. 10, bans the sale and new possession of semi-automatic "assault weapons" and prohibits sales of big capacity magazines, according to Fox News.

However, current owners of weapons listed in the bill such as AR-15s and AK-47s would not have to turn them in. 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit is considering the case, but it will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.