Columbia - The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to rehear the case of South Carolina's anti-abortion license plates.

Earlier this year, the court upheld a ruling that the "Choose Life" plates are unconstitutional. The judges said the plates violate the First Amendment by giving anti-abortion advocates a forum to express their beliefs without giving abortion rights supporters a similar forum.

The state had filed a petition for a rehearing, but the appeals court denied that request today.

A spokesman says State Attorney General Henry McMaster is disappointed with the decision and will consider further appeals.

The law allowing the "Choose Life" plate was signed by Gov. Jim Hodges in 2001. Last year, a U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking South Carolina from issuing the plates until the case was heard.