Midwest
Gun rights groups ask Supreme Court to strike down Illinois 'assault weapons' ban
FIRST ON FOX — A gun rights group representing over 2 million members and activists has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether Illinois’ strict rifle ban is constitutional.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) and its sister organization, the Gun Owners Foundation, on Monday filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court in their challenge to the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). The groups, representing Illinois gun owners, argue the law imposes an unconstitutional, sweeping ban on hundreds of commonly owned and lawfully used rifles and ammunition magazines.
“GOA has been at the forefront of this challenge since before the bans even took effect, and while our goal was never to have to end up before the Supreme Court, we were fully prepared to do so,” said Erich Pratt, senior vice president of Gun Owners of America.
“We urge the Justices to hear the pleas of millions of Americans in Illinois and several other states nationwide who cannot purchase many of the commonly owned semiautomatic firearms available today because of the unconstitutional laws passed by anti-gun politicians,” Pratt said.
ILLINOIS GUN GROUPS REPORT CONFUSION, ‘CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE’ AFTER DEADLINE PASSES TO REGISTER ‘ASSAULT’ WEAPONS
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker signed sweeping legislation into law in 2023 implementing a ban on hundreds of makes and models of rifles and ammunition magazines. (John Nacion/WireImage)
The strict gun control law, signed by Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year, carries penalties for anyone who, “Carries or possesses… Manufactures, sells, delivers, imports, or purchases any assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle.”
Those who legally possess a banned weapon under the law must register it with the Illinois State Police.
The law also includes statutory penalties for anyone who “sells, manufactures, delivers, imports, possesses, or purchases any assault weapon attachment or .50 caliber cartridge.”
Any kit or tools that are used to increase the fire rate of a semiautomatic weapon are also banned, and the legislation includes a limit for purchases of certain magazines.
ILLINOIS ENACTS 320 NEW STATE LAWS, INCLUDING BAN ON SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPONS AND INDOOR VAPING
The Illinois legislature passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act in 2023 in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. (Chicago Tribune/Getty Images)
A federal judge in the Southern District of Illinois had initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding PICA did not respect the Second Amendment rights of Illinois residents. District Judge Stephen Patrick McGlynn, a Trump appointee, blocked the state from enforcing the “assault weapons” ban, finding it not only restricted the right to self-defense, but in some cases, “completely obliterated that right by criminalizing the purchase and the sale of more than 190 ‘arms.’”
But the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned McGlynn’s ruling on May 5, 2023, and permitted the law to take effect on Jan. 10, 2024.
Law-abiding gun owners faced a Jan. 1 deadline to register their so-called assault weapons with the state police. However, Illinois Second Amendment groups reported mass confusion from gun owners and large rates of noncompliance.
ILLINOIS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN BACK IN EFFECT AS COURTS PLAY PING PONG WITH GUN CONTROL
Semiautomatic guns are displayed for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply, Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Illinois. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
Of the over 2.4 million Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cardholders, there have only been 112,350 disclosures filed as of Dec. 31, 2023, according to state police data. Another 29,357 disclosures were in the process of being completed as of Jan. 6.
Gun rights activists previously told Fox News Digital that apparent high rates of noncompliance came from a mix of ignorance of what the law requires and civil disobedience.
Now, they hope the Supreme Court will weigh in on their side.
“JB Pritzker and his colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly openly defied the Supreme Court and the Constitution when they passed their ‘emergency’ bill to ban so-called ‘assault weapons,’” said Sam Paredes, a board member of the Gun Owners Foundation.
“We are optimistic the justices will choose to hear the case and make clear once and for all that ‘assault weapons’ bans on tens of millions of commonly owned rifles are wholly out of line with the Second Amendment.”
Fox News Digital’s Houston Keene contributed to this report.
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Featured Events
1. Bastille Days
ALL WEEKEND AT VARIOUS TIMES | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
Milwaukee’s French-themed festival is coming to Cathedral Square Park this weekend. The festival will feature French and Cajun cuisine, live entertainment, a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica and more. The Storm the Bastille 5K run/walk is Milwaukee’s only nighttime 5K, kicking off the festival at 9 p.m. on Thursday. Entrance to Bastille Days is free all weekend.
2. Festa Italiana
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT VARIOUS TIMES | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Festa Italiana is serving up authentic Italian eats, live music, cultural performances and more this weekend. Don’t miss out on the Milwaukee’s Best Sauce contest! General admission is $18 and tickets can be purchased online in advance.
3. Whitefish Bay Art Fest
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. | EAST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
Check out 100 original artists making their way to Whitefish Bay for their annual art fest. Artists will be selling everything from jewelry to photography alongside cold beer and good food. A Kids Art Zone will be hosting art projects and face painting and live art demos allow guests to get to know the artist’s process. Entrance to this event is free, but you can reserve up to two tickets for complimentary food, drinks and desserts.
Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating great design!
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THURSDAY FROM 7:30 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M. | RIVERSIDE THEATER
Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Is coming to the Riverside Theater. Hosted by Peter Sagal, a rotating panel of comedians, writers and celebrities review the week’s news before contestants are quizzed for the chance to win a custom-recorded greeting by a cast member for their voicemail. Tickets start at are $35 each and can be purchased online.
5. PRO’S 20TH Anniversary Party
FRIDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 10 P.M. | THIRD SPACE BREWING
Performance Running Outfitters is celebrating 20 years serving the running community in Milwaukee. The celebration takes place at Third Space Brewing and will feature interactive activations from many of the top running gear brands. The party will also include local food trucks, live music and craft beer.
6. Sip and Strut 2026
FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. | CORK WINE AND COCKTAIL BAR
KenVogue LLC is transforming Cork Wine Bar into a Paris-inspired runway featuring local brands, designers and models. The night combines fashion and elegance with local pride and creativity. General admission tickets are $30 each and VIP tickets include an exclusive gift bag and dinner provided by Sydney Serving.
7. Starry Nights: Rockin’ Robins and Classic Car Show
FRIDAY FROM 6:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. | GERLACH/HAACK OUTDOOR THEATER
Jam out to music from the 50’s and 60’s with the Rockin’ Robins while celebrating National Collector Appreciation Day with the Wilson Center Classic Vehicle Show. This joint event is a part of the Starry Nights concert series and both are free to attend. If you plan to stay for the music, make sure to bring chairs or a picnic blanket.
8. Wine Glass Painting Workshop
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Join the staff at A Stroke of Genius Paint and Sip for a fun and relaxing wine glass painting workshop. The team will lead lessons on simple painting techniques including brush strokes, patterns and decorative techniques. A ticket to the class includes the lesson, practice exercises, two wine glasses to paint, all painting supplies and access to the full bar. Tickets are $305 each and can be purchased online.
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The Fine Arts Quartet will celebrate 80 years with a free concert featuring Brahms Piano Quartet #3. The program features Gisele Witkowski and Fabio Witkowski as guest pianists. No ticket is required to attend this show.
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Spend Saturday on the shores of Lake Michigan and celebrate the spirit of teamwork, cultural heritage and more at the Dragon Boat Festival. Dragon boating teams from across the region will compete in multiple divisions throughout the day while family-friendly activities, traditional performances and authentic cuisine offer an immersive experience on land. Entrance to the festival is $5 per person over the age of 13.
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Travel back in time at the Time Travelers Vintage Expo and enter a retro wonderland. The expo brings together small businesses, curators and artists from across the US to offer the best vintage clothing, home goods, retro-inspired handmade items and more. Sellers offer a wide range of styles and price points, so there’s something for everyone. Tickets to the expo are $11 each and can be purchased online.
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Explore the many rooms of the Allis mansion and discover the world of fiber arts. Each room will include a different fiber or textile practice and include live demonstrations. In the courtyard, guests can meet fiber-bearing animals including llamas, alpacas and rabbits. Participation in this event is included with museum admission and free for members.
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A major traffic shift will start on one of Minnesota’s busiest highways Wednesday morning.
Eastbound lanes of Interstate 394 between Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis Park and downtown Minneapolis will be down to two lanes, with no EZ-Pass options. That means getting from the west metro to downtown Minneapolis could be tricky. Officials say drivers should expect increased traffic around St. Louis Park through the fall.
The change comes as westbound I-394 fully reopens after several months of construction, plus a return-to-normal entry to westbound I-394 from westbound Interstate 94 after the Lowry Hill Tunnel.
Crews have been working on the $67 million project since July 2025 to repair and restore more than 30 bridges across the 394 corridor.
While eastbound drivers are finding fewer lanes, westbound drivers are finding freedom
Nathan Bowie with the Minnesota Department of Transportation says construction has been going well and while the reopening of the westbound lanes marks an important milestone, the work is far from over.
“We understand that construction can be an inconvenience. It can be frustrating,” Bowie said. “We’re really asking folks to be patient, plan ahead, give yourself some extra travel time.”
The project also includes several ramp closures, including eastbound I-394 ramps at Penn and Cedar Lake avenues and the connection to westbound I-94.
Bryn Mawr resident Dan Spengler said he’s noticed more drivers shifting to neighborhood streets to avoid backups and expects that to only get worse.
“I believe in what they’re doing, but they need to manage the neighborhoods better because people are driving through the neighborhood with nowhere to go, so they are speeding through neighborhoods,” Spengler said.
Bowie says crews will be putting on signs in neighborhoods where traffic is expected to swell, reminding folks of the speed limit.
Businesses along I-394, like Good Day Cafe, are also feeling the squeeze
“We’d like to have all the roads open, yes,” said manager Jamie Flynn. “I mean, right now we’re very fortunate, for like I said, the guests and sort of the people that know to come here that have been for years and years.”
The new traffic pattern is expected to stay in place through November. Officials want drivers to follow posted detours and pay attention to ensure a smooth transition.
More information about the project is available on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website.
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Retention ponds are a common feature in neighborhoods across Indiana, but they can pose a deadly danger to children. Two Indianapolis children have drowned in retention ponds in just the past month. Many communities are asking whether enough is being done to prevent these tragedies.
The Lawrence Fire Department was on the scene when a 19-month-old toddler was found in the retention pond at the 7000 block of McIntosh Lane on Indy’s northeast side. Adrian Douglas Breed Jr. later died in the hospital.
“It’s a tragic event, the family lost their son,” Marc Hickson of the Lawrence Fire Department said.
Democratic Senator J.D. Ford tried pushing for legislation to mandate safety barriers around neighborhood retention ponds in 2025. It required homeowners’ associations with children ages 1-4 to put up at least a 4-foot-tall fence or barrier, but it didn’t get a hearing.
“Unfortunately, this is the second child in a retention pond in central Indiana in just one month. At some point, we have to ask what we can do to stop families from experiencing the same, and that’s why we tried to pass this bill to help avoid families from experiencing the headlines.”
In 2009, former Republican State Senator Richard Bray also introduced a bill aimed at allowing the construction of safety barriers around retention ponds. That failed to become law.
Since those attempts, there have been no statewide laws for barriers around retention ponds in Indiana.
“It’s about asking adults, neighborhoods, and policymakers to make these environments safer. There is a petition out there, and I think second to that is to reach out to your state representatives and state senators and voice concerns about this type of issue,” Ford said.
Until a new law passes, the Lawrence Fire Department is urging parents to learn CPR and to teach their kids to swim. Hickson believes a safety barrier can prevent additional deaths.
“Just not apartment complexes, but anywhere, where there’s a body of water. It would be great if it were enclosed so access wouldn’t be as easy to get into.”
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