Published by RawNews1st
A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey’s ban on AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds is unconstitutional, marking the first time a federal appellate court has invalidated a state’s assault weapons ban on Second Amendment grounds.
In a 10-5 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit found that New Jersey’s restrictions violate the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The ruling expands a previous lower court decision by striking down not only the state’s ban on certain AR-15-style rifles but also its limit on magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
The case centered on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which requires modern firearm regulations to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of gun laws. The majority concluded that New Jersey failed to meet that constitutional standard.
New Jersey officials sharply criticized the decision and are expected to continue defending the state’s gun laws. The ruling also comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear challenges involving similar assault weapon bans in Illinois and Connecticut, setting the stage for a nationwide decision that could reshape firearm regulations across the country.
Gun rights organizations hailed the decision as a major victory for the Second Amendment, while gun control advocates warned it could have significant public safety implications. For now, the ruling adds to an ongoing legal divide among federal courts, making Supreme Court review increasingly likely.
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