In Trenton, New Jersey, a federal judge declared on Tuesday that the state’s ban on the AR-15 rifle is unconstitutional, but the restriction on magazines holding over 10 rounds is deemed constitutionally sound. The 69-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Peter Sheridan was influenced by recent Supreme Court decisions concerning firearms, notably the 2022 Bruen ruling that expanded gun rights.
Judge Sheridan’s decision drew responses from both 2nd Amendment advocates and the state’s attorney general, who are planning to appeal the ruling. The judge postponed the order for 30 days. Referencing Supreme Court precedents, Sheridan implied that there is room for federal lawmakers to take more action in reducing gun-related violence nationwide.
Sheridan stated, “It is hard to accept the Supreme Court’s pronouncements that certain firearms policy choices are ‘off the table’ when frequently, radical individuals possess and use these same firearms for evil purposes.” He highlighted the urgent need for governmental leaders to address the mass shooting crisis affecting the country in light of the court’s rulings.
These laws affect not only New Jersey but also nine other states and the District of Columbia. The regulations cover major cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as locations of tragic events such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. This shooting involved an AR-15, one of the weapons categorized as an assault weapon.
Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition, a plaintiff in the case, criticized the bans on so-called ‘assault weapons’ as immoral and unconstitutional. New Jersey’s Attorney General, Matt Platkin, expressed concerns that the ruling could jeopardize public safety, emphasizing the deadly potential of the AR-15.
New Jersey, with Governor Phil Murphy’s firm stance on gun control, has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. Laws signed by Murphy include the 2018 ban on large capacity magazines, which was central to this recent ruling. The ban reduced the magazine capacity from 15 rounds to 10, aimed at minimizing casualties in mass shootings according to supporters.
The state’s assault weapons ban, dating back to 1990, encompasses various firearms, but Sheridan’s focus was on the AR-15 due to the emphasis placed on it by the plaintiffs. The ongoing legal battles concerning assault weapons bans in various states have pointed to the significant Bruen ruling as a reference point.
