Supreme Court Misses the Mark on AR-15 Ban Decision

Gun owners across America were once again left waiting this week as the Supreme Court delayed taking up a direct challenge to Illinois’ sweeping “assault-style” weapon ban, which includes some of the most popular firearms in the country — like the AR-15. At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we are deeply committed to protecting Second Amendment rights, and this kind of judicial indecision is concerning to every law-abiding gun owner who values their freedom and safety.

AR-15 Ownership: A Constitutional Right

Let’s be clear: the AR-15 is not some obscure, fringe weapon. It’s a widely owned, commonly used firearm in civilian hands. According to some industry estimates, there are over 20 million AR-15-style rifles legally owned by Americans. That makes these rifles a core part of American gun culture, and more importantly, well within the category of “arms” protected by the Second Amendment.

When courts and lawmakers treat AR-15s as outliers, they aren’t just being disingenuous — they’re ignoring the actual data and the core intent of the Constitution. The Second Amendment wasn’t written to protect hunting rifles or target pistols alone. It was crafted to ensure people had the tools necessary to defend themselves from tyranny and threats to liberty — both foreign and domestic.

The Supreme Court’s Inaction: Kicking the Can on Liberty

By refusing to take up at least 10 challenges to state-level AR-15 bans, most notably Illinois’ law, the Supreme Court is effectively allowing these anti-gun laws to stand — for now. Despite calls from gun rights groups and plaintiffs who’ve all strongly asserted that these weapons are protected under the Bruen decision, the Court chose silence over clarification.

The Bruen ruling, a landmark 2022 decision by the Supreme Court, explicitly requires that any restrictions on firearms be shown to have a historical tradition in American jurisprudence. Simply put, if the Founders didn’t do it, modern lawmakers can’t invent arbitrary gun restrictions from thin air. Assault weapon bans like those in Illinois fail this historical test miserably. Yet, even in the face of noncompliance from lower courts, the Supreme Court punts.

What this means for lawful gun owners and firearms instructors across the country — including us here in South Carolina — is uncertainty, frustration, and the creeping fear that constitutional freedoms are being chipped away through judicial passivity.

Illusion of Safety: Why AR-15 Bans Don’t Work

We’ve all heard the arguments: “nobody needs a weapon of war,” or “high-capacity rifles are too dangerous for civilians.” But these talking points ignore key facts:

• The AR-15 is rarely used in crimes. According to FBI data, rifles (not just AR-15s) account for just a tiny fraction of gun-related homicides.
• Firearms bans do not reduce crime. States with strict gun bans, like Illinois and California, often have higher rates of violence than their more gun-friendly neighbors.
• Criminals don’t follow laws. The belief that banning certain guns will make criminals less dangerous is wishful thinking at best, and dangerously naive at worst.

Instead of punishing law-abiding gun owners, we should be investing in real safety reforms such as:

• Professional firearms training for responsible citizens
• Improved background checks that respect rights but keep firearms out of the hands of known criminals
• Enforcement of existing laws — we don’t need new laws, we need to enforce the ones already on the books

Here at Fortress Firearms Training, we offer American citizens the training necessary to handle firearms responsibly, skillfully, and lawfully. We believe education and accountability are far more effective than legislation based on fear and misinformation.

What’s at Stake for Everyday Americans

This isn’t just about one type of gun being banned — it’s about setting a precedent for government overreach. If the government can suddenly outlaw the most commonly owned firearm types in the United States, what’s next? Shotguns? Semi-automatic pistols?

And while the elites and lawmakers build homes behind walls and take taxpayer-funded security wherever they go, it’s the everyday American who’s left vulnerable by these laws. These bans disproportionately impact middle-class Americans who rely on affordable, effective tools like the AR-15 to defend themselves and their families — especially in rural communities with longer law enforcement response times.

The Role of Firearms Training in Protecting Our Rights

Training is a crucial part of the firearms ownership equation. Owning a gun means nothing if you don’t know how to use it safely and effectively. In states trying to deny firearm access, they also often restrict training resources. But in freedom-loving states like South Carolina, we understand that empowering citizens includes:

• Encouraging gun safety education
• Promoting responsible ownership
• Providing real-life tactical training to navigate threats

That’s why at Fortress Firearms Training, we’re proud to offer high-quality civilian firearms courses that reinforce these values. Whether you’re a first-time gun owner or a seasoned marksman, we provide courses that sharpen skills, build confidence, and promote the timeless right to self-defense.

Stand Up, Speak Out, Stay Prepared

The current climate of judicial deflection and legislative overreach should concern every American who values liberty. The Supreme Court’s inaction sends a dangerous message that our Constitution can be sidestepped by activist state legislatures.

Now more than ever, it’s critical that gun owners:

• Support local and national 2A advocacy groups
• Stay informed on pending legislation and legal challenges
• Push back against anti-gun narratives that demonize responsible ownership
• Get trained — both for personal defense and to advance the gun community’s image

The fight for the Second Amendment isn’t just taking place in courtrooms. It’s happening in our schools, our town halls, and our local communities. And at Fortress Firearms Training, we’re answering that call — one educated, prepared citizen at a time.

Visit www.fftcwp.org to learn more about how you can develop the skills needed to safely and responsibly exercise your God-given rights.