Ruling diverges from Illinois precedent as justices ready review
A federal appeals court on Friday declared New Jersey’s ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines unconstitutional, ruling that the state’s restrictions on semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15 and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds violate the Second Amendment.
The decision by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marks the first federal appeals court ruling to strike down a state ban on such firearms.
The ruling comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether state and local bans on semiautomatic rifles violate the Second Amendment. MSI previously reported that the Supreme Court agreed in June to hear appeals challenging bans in Connecticut and New York.
The 3rd Circuit’s decision stands in direct contrast to a ruling from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a week earlier. MSI reported that the Chicago-based appeals court upheld Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons in a 2-1 decision, finding the law consistent with the nation’s tradition of firearm regulation.
The conflicting rulings add urgency to the Supreme Court’s pending review, which could reshape gun policy in states that maintain similar restrictions.