Summary: Federal lawsuit challenging Cook County's "Assault Weapons" ban as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment

Plaintiffs: Cutberto Viramontes, Rubi Joyal, Christopher Khaya; Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC); Second Amendment Foundation

Defendants: Cook County, Cook County Board President and Chief Executive Officer Toni Preckwinkle, State's Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx, Sheriff Thomas Dart

Litigation Counsel: David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, and William Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC

Docket: N.D. IL case no. 1:21-cv-04595, Seventh Circuit case no. 24-1437, Supreme Court case no. 25-238 | CourtListener Docket

Donate & Support Pro-2A Lawsuits & Legal Action!

Key Events & Filings:

Supreme Court

• 2026-1-12: DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2026-1-16
• 2026-1-5: DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2026-1-9
• 2025-12-8: DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2025-12-12
• 2025-11-12: Reply Brief for Petitioners
• 2025-10-29: Opposition to Petition for Writ of Certiorari
• 2025-9-22: Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including October 29, 2025.
• 2025-8-27: Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Circuit Court

• 2025-6-2: Opinion
• 2024-11-12: Oral Arguments
• 2024-11-11: 28(j) Letter
• 2024-11-11: 28(j) Letter
• 2024-11-8: 28(j) Letter
• 2024-11-8: 28(j) Letter
• 2024-10-18: Reply Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellants
• 2024-9-4: Brief of Amicus Curiae State of Illinois in Support of Defendants-Appellees and Seeking Affirmance
• 2024-8-29: Brief of Defendants-Appellees
• 2024-6-24: Brief and Required Short Appendix of Plaintiffs-Appellants
• 2024-4-26: Response to Jurisdictional Memorandum
• 2024-4-17: Jurisdictional Memorandum of Plaintiffs-Appellants
• 2024-4-4: Order

District Court

• 2024-3-15: Notice of Appeal
• 2024-3-1: Memorandum Opinion and Order
• 2024-2-26: Plaintiffs’ Response to Order to Show Cause
• 2024-2-23: Defendants’ Memorandum in Response to ECF No. 125
• 2024-2-5: Order
• 2023-9-28: Order
• 2023-6-13: Plaintiffs’ Reply in Support of Their Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-6-1: Defendants’ Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-5-8: Defendants' Reply Filed in Support of Their Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-5-1: Plaintiffs’ Memorandum of Law in Support of Summary Judgment
• 2023-4-24: Plaintiffs’ Response in Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-3-22: Highland Park’s Supplemental Brief in Support of Its Motion to Reassign Related Case Pursuant to Local Rule 40.4
• 2023-3-8: Order Denying Motion to Stay
• 2023-3-3: Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-2-22: Reply in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion to Stay
• 2023-2-15: Response in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion to Stay
• 2023-1-31: Plaintiffs’ Motion to Stay
• 2023-1-13: Reply in Support of the City of Highland Park’s Motion to Reassign Related Case Pursuant to Local Rule 40.4
• 2023-1-6: Plaintiffs’ Response to the City of Highland Park’s Motion to Reassign the Case
• 2023-1-6: Highland Park Plaintiffs’ Response in Opposition to Highland Park’s Motion to Reassign
• 2022-12-23: The City of Highland Park’s Motion to Reassign Related Case Pursuant to Local Rule 40.4
• 2022-7-7: MINUTE entry: In light of the rapidly−evolving circumstances described in Defendants' motion, that motion is granted.
• 2022-7-6: Motion for Extension of Time to Disclose Expert Report
• 2022-4-25: MINUTE entry: Rubi Joyal's motion for voluntary dismissal without prejudice is granted. Rubi Joyal is terminated from the case.
• 2022-4-22: Reply in Support of Plaintiff Joyal’s Motion for Voluntary Dismissal
• 2022-4-21: County Defendants’ Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss Plaintiff Rubi Joyal
• 2022-4-14: Plaintiff Joyal’s Motion for Voluntary Dismissal
• 2021-12-8: Order Denying Plaintiffs' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
• 2021-12-3: Plaintiffs' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
• 2021-11-15: County Defendants’ Answer to Plantiffs’ Complaint
• 2021-8-27: Complaint

News Releases:

• 2025-11-12: FPC Files Supreme Court Brief Urging Justices to Strike Down AR-15 Ban
• 2025-8-28: FPC Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Cook County AR-15 Ban
• 2024-10-21: FPC Files Final Brief in Cook County “Assault Weapons” Ban Appeal
• 2024-6-25: FPC Brief: Cook County’s Ban on So-Called “Assault Weapons” is Unconstitutional
• 2023-5-1: FPC Files for Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Cook County, Illinois “Assault Weapons” Ban
• 2021-8-27: FPC Files Lawsuit Challenging ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban in Cook County, Illinois