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Pennsylvania Gun Control Advocates Applaud Supreme Court's Indecision On Assault Weapons

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear cases on two state laws banning assault weapons and large capacity ammo magazines. Gun control advocates are applauding, but experts say "indecision" is pretty typical of this court.

Shira Goodman runs Ceasefire Pennsylvania and says she's pleased with the Supreme Court's refusal to disturb lower court rulings upholding assault weapon bans in Connecticut and New York.

"A decision not to take a case is different from a ruling on the merits," Goodman said, "but we think it's an important signal."

She spent Monday in Washington lobbying Senators to pass several gun control bills following the shooting massacre at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. She hopes it's a signal of greater tolerance for state-lead control.

Meantime, Villanova Political Science Professor Bob Langran says it's less of a signal and more the result of an eight member court.

"They technically decided, but they decided not to decide," Langran said. "I think that they are just so split that they just can't right now."

With decisions on abortion rights and affirmative action still pending before the court, he expects few, if any, impactful rulings this term.

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