The U.S. Supreme Court opens its new term this week with several high-stakes cases involving guns, religion, and immigration already on the docket.

Oral arguments begin Monday, October 5, after the justices granted review in dozens of matters over the summer. Among the early cases are challenges to state and local bans on semiautomatic rifles such as AR-15s.

In Viramontes v. Cook County, petitioners ask whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to possess commonly owned semiautomatic rifles. A similar case from Connecticut raises the same question. Lower courts upheld the restrictions, but the conservative majority on the Court has repeatedly strengthened Second Amendment protections in recent years.

Religion cases also feature prominently. The Court will consider St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, which tests whether Colorado can require religious preschools participating in a universal preschool program to comply with nondiscrimination rules on religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The dispute pits free exercise claims against state funding conditions.

Immigration enforcement forms another major theme. The justices will review challenges to federal policies on detaining certain noncitizens with criminal records during removal proceedings and on deportations to third countries. These cases come amid ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and interior enforcement.

Additional matters on the docket include climate litigation brought by localities against energy companies and questions over veterans' benefits. The term is expected to produce rulings that clarify the scope of constitutional protections in these areas.

The Court begins the term with a 6-3 conservative majority. Observers anticipate continued emphasis on originalist interpretations in gun and religion disputes and deference to executive authority in immigration matters.