The Fourth Circuit will reconsider a controversial ruling that found a fundamental right to own assault weapons, the court announced last Friday. Just one month ago, a divided Fourth Circuit panel ruled that the possession of firearms was a "fundamental right" under the Second Amendment. As such, laws impinging on that right, here, a Maryland ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, must be reviewed under a standard of strict scrutiny.
The ruling was a win for gun rights advocates, but a departure from the conclusions of other circuits. Now, that conclusion is in question as the Fourth prepares to rehear the case en banc.