The US Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review challenges to state and local bans on AR-15-style semi-automatic rifles. The court is set to hear oral arguments next term, beginning in October, on whether such restrictions infringe upon the Second Amendment, which guarantees Americans the right to keep and bear arms.

The cases under review involve laws enacted in Cook County, Illinois, and the state of Connecticut in the northeastern United States. Both jurisdictions have implemented bans on assault-style rifles similar to the AR-15. Lower courts have largely upheld these measures, though the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the issue signals a potential shift in legal interpretation concerning gun control.

AR-15-style rifles have been implicated in several devastating mass shootings across the country. Notably, the weapon was used in the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adults. Such incidents have intensified national debates over firearm regulations and the balance between public safety and constitutional rights.

The court’s announcement comes at the close of a term marked by several significant rulings on gun-related matters. In a decision issued last week, the justices struck down a Hawaii law that prohibited carrying firearms on private properties open to the public, such as stores and restaurants, unless the owner granted permission. The ruling emphasized protections under the Second Amendment for public carry rights.

Additionally, the court unanimously ruled that individuals who regularly use marijuana cannot be barred from possessing firearms, indicating limits on restrictions based on drug use given the legal complexities surrounding marijuana.

With the upcoming session beginning in October, the Supreme Court’s examination of AR-15-style rifle bans is poised to have wide-ranging implications for firearm regulations nationwide. Observers anticipate that the rulings could affect not only Illinois and Connecticut but also other states and municipalities with similar prohibitive laws.