High court allows state ‘assault weapon’ bans to stand

The U.S. Supreme Court today decided not to hear a case challenging bans on semi-automatic rifles in New York and Connecticut, allowing a lower court ruling to stand. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the bans did not violate the Second Amendment because so-called “assault weapons” pose unusual risks. “When used, these weapons tend to result in more numerous wounds, more serious wounds, and more victims,” the appeals court reasoned. “These weapons are disproportionately used in crime, and particularly in criminal mass shootings like the attack in Newtown.” The high court’s decision comes as Congress is set to debate bills to expand background checks for gun buyers and prohibit anyone on the terror watch list from purchasing a weapon. None of the measures is expected to pass.