The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the SBR case lets the Seventh Circuit’s ruling stand that short-barreled rifles are not protected by the Second Amendment, upholds the NFA’s restrictions, and perpetuates confusion among lower courts about firearm rights under Heller and Bruen.
The Supreme Court of the United States has chosen not to hear a challenge to the National Firearms Act’s restrictions on short-barreled rifles (SBRs).
At issue in the case Rush v. United States is the federal government taxing and requiring registration of rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals had earlier upheld the law, saying SBRs are not “arms” covered by the Second Amendment, prompting plaintiffs to appeal in hopes the Supreme Court would consider the challenge. However, on December 15, the high court denied certiorari, leaving the ruling to stand.
In its brief to the Supreme Court seeking review of the case, the plaintiff argued that the lower court made the wrong decision in light of Supreme Court rulings.
By Mark Chesnut
