A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey’s bans on semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines violate the Second Amendment. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the decision in a 10-5 vote on Friday, invalidating the state’s restrictions on what are commonly referred to as “assault” firearms.
The ruling represents a significant legal victory for gun rights advocates and organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA), which have challenged state-level firearms restrictions across the country. The decision comes amid ongoing national debate over gun regulations and constitutional interpretations of the Second Amendment’s scope.
New Jersey’s banned weapons include semiautomatic rifles and magazines with capacities exceeding certain limits. The appeals court determined these restrictions exceeded permissible regulation under the Second Amendment as currently interpreted by courts.
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Featured photo: author of xrmap, with modifications by Denelson83 and ChrisRuvolo via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)