A major Second Amendment case is now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. In Shoenthal v. Raoul, gun owners are challenging Illinois’ ban on carrying firearms on public transportation—even for licensed concealed carry holders.

The lawsuit was filed after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which established that gun regulations must be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. A federal district court initially ruled against Illinois, but the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed that decision.

Now, the plaintiffs are asking the Supreme Court to clarify whether buses and trains qualify as “sensitive places” where firearms can be banned.

In a newly filed brief urging the Court to deny review, Illinois officials argue that sensitive places are typically confined government buildings—not broad public areas like cities, sidewalks, or parks. That concession could carry broader implications, as several states have attempted to label wide public areas as gun-free zones.

The case also centers on how courts interpret the “sensitive places” doctrine outlined in Bruen, including whether firearm bans are only permissible where the government provides heightened security measures.

If the Supreme Court grants certiorari, Shoenthal v. Raoul could significantly impact public transportation gun bans and the future scope of the Second Amendment nationwide.