WASHINGTON – On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge against a state prohibition on assault weapons, semiautomatic rifles that are widely favored by gun owners and have also been involved in numerous mass shootings.

The justices rejected a case opposing a Maryland statute enacted following the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adults. The attacker was equipped with an AR-15, a firearm often labeled as an assault weapon.

Nonetheless, three conservative justices openly mentioned that they would have opted to hear the case, with a fourth expressing doubt regarding the constitutionality of such bans, suggesting that the court might reassess the matter soon.

Several states have similar measures, and Congressional Democrats have also supported the concept. The challengers had argued that people have a constitutional right to own the firearms like the AR-15.

The case comes two years after the high court handed down a landmark ruling that expanded Second Amendment rights and spawned challenges to firearm laws around the country.

Ten states and the District of Columbia have similar laws, covering major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Congress allowed a national assault weapons ban to expire in 2004.

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