Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down New Jersey Gun Restrictions

A ruling by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has invalidated New Jersey’s ban on semiautomatic rifles and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. This decision marks a significant win for the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has been litigating the issue since 2018.

The court expanded on a lower court’s findings, declaring New Jersey’s restrictions on semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The ruling applies to the full range of semiautomatic rifles, beyond just the AR-15 model. As a result, the state’s assault-firearm ban is deemed unconstitutional.

Justin Davis, managing director of public affairs for the NRA, described the decision as a “monumental win.” The NRA has hailed the ruling as a major victory for gun owners across the nation.

“The Third Circuit has struck down these unconstitutional so-called assault weapons bans and magazine bans in New Jersey, affirming what we’ve always known: the right to keep and bear arms, including commonly-owned rifles and standard-capacity magazines, is fundamental and cannot be infringed,” declared the NRA.

This ruling protects the rights of responsible gun owners in New Jersey and is considered a step toward dismantling gun control measures nationwide. Writing for the majority, U.S. Circuit Judge Arianna Freeman stated that modern firearm restrictions must be consistent with America’s historical tradition of firearm regulation, referencing decisions from other key Second Amendment cases.

The court concluded that New Jersey’s restrictions do not meet this historical consistency requirement. Some judges dissented, arguing these firearms are particularly dangerous and have traditionally been subject to state regulation.

New Jersey’s “assault-firearms law” was enacted in 1990 following a school shooting in California, with the governor at the time describing the rifles as capable of causing mass destruction. Despite these concerns, the majority of judges agreed that semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines are protected by the Second Amendment.