The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down New Jersey's ban on semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that New Jersey's restrictions on "assault firearms" and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds violate the Second Amendment. This marks the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state's assault weapons ban, providing a significant boost to gun-rights advocates. The court determined that New Jersey failed to prove its restrictions were consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation. While the state enacted the law in 1990 to address "guns capable of wholesale destruction," the court found the ban on the full class of semiautomatic rifles unconstitutional. The National Rifle Association celebrated the decision as a "historic victory" for law-abiding Americans. However, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport criticized the ruling as "legally incorrect," noting that other federal circuit courts have upheld similar bans. The decision comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to review whether semiautomatic rifle bans violate constitutional rights.