 The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear a challenge to Illinois' ban on semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 styles. The decision released encompasses more than one of the lawsuits against the state over the ban, which was legislatively enacted. Other litigation continues, and the matter is largely unresolved. Illinois passed the ban in the wake of the July 4th mass shooting in Highland Park. Justice Clarence Thomas writes that he hopes the court will take up the question