Gun-control group happy with court's assault-ban decision

WASHINGTON (AP) - A gun-control advocate cheered the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to not consider a legal challenge aimed at a Chicago suburb's ban on assault weapons.

But one of the plaintiffs in the case said his organization would continue challenging such bans.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal of a lower-court ruling upholding Highland Park's assault weapon ban.

Dan Gross is president of the Brady Center and Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. He said the decision guards the right of communities to protect themselves against large-scale gun violence.

Richard Pearson of the Illinois State Rifle Association was disappointed. But he said the group still has hope a lawsuit in Cook County against a similar ban there may succeed. The association is a plaintiff in the Highland Park case.