Beginning in Heller, however, the Supreme Court has drawn a distinction between arms "in common use" for "lawful purposes like self-defense," which are covered by the Second Amendment, and "dangerous and unusual weapons," which are not. McGlynn's opinion ...

On Friday, a judge in Illinois struck down the state's assault weapons ban, arguing it is "unconstitutional," as the guns are needed for self-defense.

The ruling increases the likelihood that the conservative-majority Supreme Court will one day consider whether the Second Amendment protects AR-15s.

Government may not deprive law-abiding citizens of their guaranteed right to self-defense as a means of offense,” the judge wrote.