Judge’s questions during IL gun ban arguments gives rights advocates ‘hope’

Judge’s questions during IL gun ban arguments gives rights advocates ‘hope’

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – With Illinois’ gun ban now in the hands of a three judge panel of the federal appeals court, some are plotting out what’s next.

Monday’s oral arguments featured challenging questions from Judge Amy St. Eve for both sides.

“Why haven’t you waived or forfeited that legislative fact argument by not raising it until your reply brief?” St. Eve asked the attorney defending the state law during oral arguments.

“You said 14 to 18 million legally own them for legal purposes, self-defense. But there are also these statistics on the other side. Does that factor in with the nuanced approach or the societal concerns?” St. Eve later asked plaintiffs arguing against the law.

St. Eves is new to the panel after Diane Wood, who ruled against the plaintiffs in 2023, retired. The other judges on the panel split in 2023, Judge Michael Brennan with the plaintiffs and Judge Frank Easterbrook with the state.

Gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde said it’s hard to tell which way the case goes with St. Eve on the panel.

“We went in there expecting to lose. We walked out of there with hope that, you know, that St. Eve was being reasonable and honest in her questions,” Vandermyde told The Center Square.

The district judge found the law unconstitutional last year after a four-day bench trial and thousands of pages of evidence and testimony.

The state appealed to the Seventh Circuit. The U.S. Department of Justice filed in support of the plaintiffs and against the state. But with a new three-judge appeals panel, Vandermyde said anything is possible.

“I was with some other guys that have been involved in the case, and we all kind of came to the conclusion that it’s 50/50 on a crapshoot and it all centers around what does St. Eve do,” Vandermyde said.

Dan Eldridge with Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois said having the U.S. Department of Justice on their side is good for them.

“If we lose, that means the solicitor general, John Sauer, would petition for cert with the Supreme Court,” Eldridge told The Center Square. “The solicitor general generally gets deference from the Supreme Court on cert petitions, and that would really, really increase the likelihood that we get shoved to the front of the line with the Supreme Court.”

It’s unclear when the appeals court will make their ruling.

⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:13PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:12PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
Partly Cloudy
54°

Partly Cloudy

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: State spends $87M on ISU fine arts project

Illinois Quick Hits: State spends $87M on ISU fine arts project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined officials at Illinois State University on Tuesday to break ground on the...
WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime

WATCH: Legislator warns tax dollars used to impede ICE; Pritzker and Trump talk crime

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Executive Committee: Relaxes Rules for Retiring Employee Proclamations

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Executive Committee voted to amend county board rules to allow proclamations honoring retiring county employees to pass...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Lobbyist Updates: State Session Resumes; Transit Safety Concerns Raised

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: State lobbyists briefed the Will County Legislative Committee on the upcoming General Assembly session, noting a likely focus...
Will County Finance Logo

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for January 6, 2026

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to handle a light agenda of routine...
Music, drama teacher sues Catholic HS over ‘anti-gay’ discrimination

Music, drama teacher sues Catholic HS over ‘anti-gay’ discrimination

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A gay man who was fired from the position of music and theater director at Marquette High School in Alton has filed...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired

Illinois Quick Hits: IDPH accountability officer fired

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former chief grant accountability officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health is being held accountable...
Trump: Chicago crime is down in spite of 'incompetent' Pritzker

Trump: Chicago crime is down in spite of ‘incompetent’ Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says crime in Chicago would go down virtually 100% if not for Gov. J.B....
‘Put politics aside’ to support no tax on tips, Illinois Democrat says

‘Put politics aside’ to support no tax on tips, Illinois Democrat says

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to bring the federal no tax on tips policy to the...
Screenshot 2026-01-13 at 1.59.01 PM

Frankfort Village Board Reduces C-1 Liquor Licenses, Approves New Venue

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | January 12, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board voted to reduce the number of Class C-1 liquor licenses available in the village following the...
Pritzker: State will not build stadium for Bears

Pritzker: State will not build stadium for Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state will not build a stadium for the Chicago Bears. Pritzker...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Capital Imp Committee: Facilities Director Reports on VAC Progress and Critical Health Department Elevator Repairs

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:Facilities Director Bill Fern provided updates on major renovation projects, including the completion of the Court Annex and the...
Will County Board Graphic.01

‘Good Food For All’ Initiative Proposes Local Agricultural Asset Mapping for Will County

Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Bob Heuer of HNA Networks presented a "Good Food For All" initiative to the Public...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Public Works Committee Advances $3.2 Million Engineering Contract for Mills Road Reconstruction

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee forwarded a resolution to award a $3.2 million contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. for...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Board Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A proposal to demand the reinstatement of the "Fairness Doctrine" for news media sparked a philosophical debate on...