Viramontes v. Cook County
Cert Granted · Argument Dec 2, 2026No. 25-238
Cook County's ban on AR-style rifles and similar semi-automatic firearms
What a ruling could mean
- If the challengers win: Cook County's ban would fall, and similar bans on AR-15-style rifles in states like Illinois, Connecticut, California, New York, and Maryland would likely be struck down or have to be rewritten.
- If Cook County wins: AR-15-style rifle bans would stand, and states would keep wide room to ban these rifles.
What the Court agreed to decide
On June 30, 2026, the Court granted cert and consolidated this case with Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566). Review is limited to the question presented here: whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to possess AR-15-platform and similar semi-automatic rifles in common use. One hour total is allotted for argument across both cases.
What's next
Oral argument is set for Wednesday, December 2, 2026. This is the first time since Heller that the Court will squarely address whether commonly owned semi-automatic rifles are protected "arms."
Timeline (from official SCOTUS docket; since consolidation on Jun 30, 2026, filings for both this case and Grant v. Higgins are recorded here)
- Oct 26, 2026 Amicus brief of David A. Robinson submitted
- Oct 21, 2026 Respondents' briefs submitted; returned by the Clerk for corrections (due Oct 26)
- Sep 21, 2026 Record received from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Sep 18, 2026 Case circulated ahead of argument
- Sep 9, 2026 United States asks to share argument time (10 minutes) in support of petitioners
- Sep 4, 2026 Argument set for Wednesday, December 2, 2026; United States files brief supporting petitioners
- Aug 28, 2026 Petitioners' merits brief and joint appendix filed
- Jun 30, 2026 Cert granted; consolidated with Grant v. Higgins (one hour total argument)
- Jun 25, 2026 Distributed for conference — no action
- Jun 18, 2026 Distributed for conference — no action
- Dec 12, 2025 First distributed for conference
- Aug 27, 2025 Petition filed with the Court