A federal appeals court struck down New Jersey’s ban on so‑called assault weapons and its limit on magazines holding more than 10 rounds, according to the Associated Press. The court said the measures violated the Second Amendment, AP reported. Reporting noted a split among the judges. The ruling is a notable development in a legal fight that is moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Associated Press said the ruling goes beyond an earlier decision from a federal judge in New Jersey, who had found the state’s AR‑15 ban unconstitutional but left the magazine limit in place. The appeals court rejected both provisions. New Jersey’s attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, whose office defended the laws, called the outcome unfortunate and legally incorrect, the AP reported. She said the state is weighing its next steps.
Gun‑rights groups hailed the ruling. CBS New York noted the National Rifle Association’s political arm praised the decision as protecting the rights of law‑abiding gun owners. The New Jersey Monitor reported the case was brought earlier by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, which challenged the state’s restrictions on certain semiautomatic firearms and on magazines over 10 rounds. The Monitor described a split decision with separate opinions from judges in the majority and the dissent, underscoring how contentious the issue remains on the federal bench.
State leaders criticized the outcome. CBS New York reported that Gov. Mikie Sherrill said these weapons don’t belong on New Jersey streets and that the state would not back away from its broader gun‑safety agenda. Davenport added in a separate statement that the state remains committed to enforcing other firearms laws and addressing gun violence as a public‑health problem, according to CBS New York.
The ruling comes as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear challenges to similar laws. The AP said the justices are set to consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles pass the court’s current Second Amendment test. CBS New York added that recently the Court agreed to take up challenges to AR‑15‑style rifle bans, including one from Connecticut. Meanwhile, appellate courts are not all on the same page: the AP noted another federal appeals court recently upheld Illinois’ ban, highlighting a growing split that the Supreme Court could resolve.
New Jersey’s statutes have been part of a broader set of state gun regulations built up over decades. CBS New York pointed out that some of those provisions date back many years. The ruling does not change the fact that many other gun laws remain on the books; what happens next could depend on any requests for a pause or further appeals by the state, which Davenport said are under consideration, according to the AP.
Why it matters
This decision could immediately affect what New Jersey gun owners and retailers may buy, sell, or possess—though the rules could change again if the state seeks further review. Appeals courts are split, and the Supreme Court is preparing to weigh in, so the ultimate answer may come from Washington. For busy families, the short version is simple: check the law before you act, because the ground is still shifting.