The Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen established a new test for gun laws: they must be consistent with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation. This year, that test is being applied to laws restricting AR-15s, the popular semi-automatic rifles at the center of many gun control debates. The outcome could reshape gun policy across the country.
The Bruen test requires courts to look at text, history, and tradition when evaluating Second Amendment challenges. It replaced a more flexible balancing test that allowed judges to weigh public safety benefits against burdens on gun rights. Since then, lower courts have struck down several state laws, including bans on AR-15s in states like Illinois and California.
For gun owners, the test offers clearer protection for commonly owned firearms. AR-15s are among the most popular rifles in the U.S., with millions in circulation. Supporters argue that any ban must be justified by a historical analogue from the founding era or Reconstruction.
For public safety advocates, the test raises concerns. They note that AR-15s were not common in the 18th or 19th centuries and that modern weapons pose unique risks. Mass shootings involving AR-15s have driven calls for restrictions, but the Bruen test makes such laws harder to defend.
The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the issue this year, possibly by reviewing a case on assault weapon bans. The ruling could clarify how far states can go in regulating firearms like the AR-15. For now, the legal landscape remains uncertain, with conflicting decisions from lower courts.