Court Rules New Jersey's Assault Weapons Ban is Unconstitutional
WHO:
AP News - New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport stated that the decision is “as unfortunate as it is legally incorrect.”
AP News - John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, called the ruling a “historic victory for the NRA, the Second Amendment, and law-abiding Americans.”
NY Post - A federal appeals court
Newsweek - New Jersey
WHAT:
AP News - This is the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on assault weapons.
AP News - The ruling goes further than a July 2024 ruling from a federal judge, who upheld the provision barring larger magazines.
Fox News - The NRA described the 3rd Circuit's ruling as a "historic victory" following the court's decision to strike down New Jersey's bans on semiautomatic rifles and large capacity magazines.
NY Post - The court ruled that New Jersey's assault-weapons law barring possession of semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s and large capacity magazines containing more than 10 rounds of ammunition is unconstitutional.
Newsweek - The federal appeals court struck down New Jersey's decades-old ban on assault weapons.
WHERE:
NY Post - New Jersey
WHEN:
NY Post - The ruling occurred on a Friday.
WHY:
AP News - Davenport mentioned that “Every other federal circuit court to consider the issue has come out the other way,” indicating a broader legal context.
NY Post - The court found the law unconstitutional.
HOW:
AP News - Adam Winkler, a law professor, noted that the ruling was surprising because federal courts of appeals have upheld assault weapons bans in the past.
Newsweek - The appeals court's decision was based on the assessment of the legality of the state's ban on assault weapons.
(UPDATED July 18, 2026 10:20 UTC)
In a landmark decision, a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on assault weapons, marking the first time such a ruling has occurred. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport expressed her disappointment, stating that the decision is “as unfortunate as it is legally incorrect,” while John Commerford from the NRA called it a “historic victory for the NRA, the Second Amendment, and law-abiding Americans.” Legal experts, including law professor Adam Winkler, found the ruling surprising, as previous federal appeals courts have upheld similar bans.
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(UPDATED July 18, 2026 03:57 UTC)
The NRA is celebrating what they call a "historic victory" after the 3rd Circuit court struck down New Jersey's bans on semiautomatic rifles and large capacity magazines. This ruling marks a significant change in the legal landscape regarding gun ownership in the state. The decision has garnered attention from various groups and is expected to influence future discussions on gun rights and regulations.
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(UPDATED July 17, 2026 22:23 UTC)
A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey's long-standing ban on assault weapons, which prohibited the possession of semiautomatic rifles like AR-15s and large capacity magazines holding more than ten rounds, is unconstitutional. This decision, made on a Friday, marks a significant change in the legal landscape regarding gun ownership in the state. The court's ruling was based on a thorough assessment of the legality of New Jersey's assault-weapons law.