Maryland’s AR-15 ban stands untouched, but not without a fight. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to the state’s “assault weapons” restriction, leaving gun owners fuming and justices split. Justice Clarence Thomas, never one to mince words, called the decision a dodge on a question “of critical importance” to millions.

According to Breitbart News, the court’s refusal keeps Maryland’s ban in place despite objections from Justices Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, siding with the majority, hinted the issue might resurface soon. This punt leaves AR-15 owners in legal limbo, wondering when their rights will get a fair shake.

Thomas didn’t hold back, arguing that AR-15s are protected under the Second Amendment. “AR–15s are ‘Arms’ under the plain text,” he wrote, citing the 2008 Heller decision. That ruling defined “arms” as any weapon of offense or defense, no matter when it was invented.

Thomas Challenges Historical Precedent

The Heller decision set a broad standard, covering even modern firearms like the AR-15. Thomas leaned hard into this, noting the Second Amendment protects “all bearable arms,” not just muskets from 1791. Maryland’s ban, he argued, faces a steep climb to pass constitutional muster.

In 2022, the Bruen case tightened the screws on gun laws, requiring states to prove bans align with historical firearm regulations. Thomas pointed out Maryland’s got nothing—no “historical regulation” to justify banning the nation’s most popular rifle. Sounds like a law built on feelings, not facts.

Thomas’s dissent was a rallying cry for gun owners. “I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America,” he declared. He’s got a point: delaying justice feels like denying it, especially for law-abiding citizens.

Maryland’s Ban Faces Scrutiny

Maryland’s law bans AR-15s under the vague “assault weapons” label, a term critics call a scare tactic. The state now bears the burden of proving its ban fits America’s historical tradition of gun laws. Good luck finding a 19th-century law banning semi-automatic rifles, Maryland.

Thomas’s logic cuts like a knife: if AR-15s are “arms,” the Second Amendment shields them unless proven otherwise. He’s not aware of any historical precedent that could prop up Maryland’s ban. That’s a polite way of saying the state’s case is on shaky ground.

The court’s majority, however, wasn’t ready to tackle the issue. Kavanaugh’s concurrence suggested the court might revisit similar bans in a term or two. Translation: the justices are kicking the can down the road, leaving gun owners to stew.

Justices Split on Timing

Gorsuch and Alito joined Thomas in dissenting, signaling a bloc ready to defend Second Amendment rights. Their public disagreement shows the court’s not united on dodging this fight. It’s a glimmer of hope for those who see the AR-15 as a symbol of freedom.

Kavanaugh’s middle-ground stance is classic judicial hedging. Agreeing with the majority but teasing future action feels like a nod to both sides. It’s the kind of move that frustrates everyone but keeps the court’s options open.

Thomas, though, isn’t here for half-measures. He warned that millions of AR-15 owners deserve clarity now, not later. Postponing the issue, he implied, risks eroding trust in a system already battered by accusations of overreach.

Second Amendment in Focus

The Heller ruling remains a cornerstone for gun rights, defining “arms” expansively. It’s a reminder that the Founders didn’t limit the Second Amendment to outdated tech. AR-15s, like it or not, fit that definition to a T.

Bruen’s 2022 standard adds another layer, demanding historical proof for modern restrictions. Maryland’s ban, lacking that anchor looks like a progressive wish list dressed up as law. Thomas’s dissent exposes that weakness with surgical precision.

The Supreme Court’s sidestep leaves Maryland’s ban intact, but the fight’s far from over. Thomas’s words resonate: if the Second Amendment means anything, it protects the tools Americans choose to defend themselves. For now, AR-15 owners wait, but they’re not backing down.