Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with a coalition of 19 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the case Viramontes, et al. v. The County of Cook, et al. The brief supports the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois' decision that Cook County's prohibition on the sale and possession of assault weapons aligns with the Second Amendment.
"Firearm sale and safety regulations save lives, and state and local governments all have a role to play in public safety," said Nessel. "I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting common-sense approaches to address this ongoing crisis."
The lawsuit was initiated in August 2021 by pro-firearms activists challenging Cook County’s regulations on assault weapons. In March 2024, the District Court ruled in favor of Cook County, but the plaintiffs have appealed that decision.
The amici states’ brief contends that Cook County’s law promotes residents' safety and well-being. It argues that reasonable gun regulations can coexist with the Second Amendment since assault weapons are not commonly used for self-defense. Additionally, it asserts that banning their sale and possession is consistent with historical principles of firearms regulation.
Since assuming office in 2019, Nessel has advocated for various gun safety measures including a federal ban on handgun sales to individuals under 21, increased accountability for gun manufacturers, initiatives against untraceable ghost guns, common-sense firearm sale regulations, and prohibitions on firearms in state buildings.
In September last year, Nessel testified before the Michigan Senate supporting legislation aimed at increasing background checks for gun purchasers, setting safe storage standards, and introducing an Extreme Risk Protection Order procedure to prevent individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from owning firearms for eight years post-conviction. This legislation was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November 2023.
Joining Nessel in signing the brief were attorneys general from Massachusetts (leading), New Jersey (leading), California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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