Courts & lawThe Supreme Court and AR-15 bans
The Supreme Court's review of Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins, consolidated challenges to Cook County's and Connecticut's bans on AR-15-style rifles: briefs, oral argument, and the ruling. Lower-court rulings on other state bans belong only when filings or the Court tie them to this case.
2 new developments
Every milestone in order, with the records and reporting behind it.
August 27
Challengers file petition for review in Viramontes v. Cook County.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to ex
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October 29
Cook County files brief opposing review in Viramontes.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.gov
November 7
Challengers file petition for review in Grant v. Higgins against Connecticut officials.
Supreme Court docket 25-566Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-566Sep 22, 2026No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.New entries on No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.: Open source supremecourt.gov
January 12
Connecticut officials file brief opposing review in Grant.
Supreme Court docket 25-566Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-566Sep 22, 2026No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.New entries on No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.: Open source supremecourt.gov
June 30
Supreme Court grants both petitions and consolidates the cases with one hour of argument.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.govSupreme Court docket 25-566Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-566Sep 22, 2026No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.New entries on No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.: Open source supremecourt.gov
August 28
Challengers file their merits brief and the joint appendix.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.gov
September 4
Court sets oral argument in the consolidated cases for December 2, 2026.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.govSupreme Court docket 25-566Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-566Sep 22, 2026No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.New entries on No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.: Open source supremecourt.gov
October 21
Cook County and Connecticut officials submit their merits briefs.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.gov
December 2
Scheduled
Oral argument scheduled in the consolidated cases.
Supreme Court docket 25-238Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-238Oct 21, 2026No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.New entries on No. 25-238, Cutberto Viramontes, et al. v. Cook County, Illinois, et al.: 2025-08-27: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 29, 2025) 2025-09-19: Motion to exOpen source supremecourt.govSupreme Court docket 25-566Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-566Sep 22, 2026No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.New entries on No. 25-566, Eddie Grant, Jr., et al. v. Ronnell Higgins, in His Official Capacity as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Transportation, et al.: Open source supremecourt.gov