Illinois Suppressor Ban Appeal Heard

Illinois Suppressor Ban Challenge Heard by the Seventh Circuit

On October 28, 2026, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard oral argument in Anderson v. Raoul, the challenge to Illinois’ ban on suppressor ownership backed by the ASA Foundation and Silencer Shop. The appeal asks the court to reverse a September 2025 district court ruling that held suppressors are not “arms” protected by the Second Amendment.

Attorneys for Anderson argued that Illinois regulates suppressors only because of their effect on how a firearm operates. And since a suppressor has no purpose apart from the firearm it’s attached to, the two items together function as a single arm. They went on to cite the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Wolford v. Lopez in support of Second Amendment protection for suppressed firearms. The State countered that suppressors are not arms at all, and argued that ruling otherwise would extend constitutional protection to anything that can be attached to a firearm — which we believe it should!

The case is now under advisement, and the panel will issue a written decision at some future date to be determined. Whatever the outcome, either side could seek further review from the full Seventh Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court. We’ll keep you updated as the case moves forward.