Supreme Court says bans on semi-automatic weapons are up to states

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The Supreme Court heard arguments in two firearm related cases.

One was significant with Second Amendment challenges to Maryland's ban on certain semi-automatic weapons, and the other a challenge to Rhode Island's ban on high capacity gun magazines.

Three conservative justices dissented from the decision not to hear the cases in 2022, a blockbuster Supreme Court decision struck down a strict requirement for New York residents.

They must show cause to obtain or carry a permit for a gun, and ever since then the justices have largely avoided major gun cases.

That has a practical effect on leaving state gun pro prohibitions in place.

Meanwhile, a fierce debate continues to play out in lower courts over exactly what the U.S. Supreme Court meant by requiring firearm laws to be consistent with the nation's historical tradition.