A federal judge has struck down New Jersey’s ban on AR-15 rifles, while keeping the state’s 10-round magazine limit in place.
Judge Peter Sheridan based his decision on the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen ruling. “As a lower court, I am bound to follow it,” Sheridan wrote, explaining his hands were tied by the higher court’s precedent.
The mixed verdict has both sides planning appeals.
Gun rights advocates cheered the AR-15 decision, with Brandon Combs of the Firearms Policy Coalition calling such bans “immoral and unconstitutional.”
Meanwhile, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin vowed to fight the ruling, arguing that the AR-15 is a “weapon of choice for mass shootings.”
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Despite following the Supreme Court’s lead, Judge Sheridan expressed unease with the outcome.
He noted the difficulty of accepting that some gun control measures are “off the table” given the frequent misuse of firearms by “radical individuals.”
FPC WIN: A New Jersey federal judge has struck down the state's ban on the Colt AR-15 for self-defense within home, saying that they "are commonly owned throughout the United States": https://t.co/XrjnZkLuVj pic.twitter.com/WCZjiYADhR
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) July 30, 2024
This ruling could impact similar laws in nine other states and Washington D.C., covering major cities and sites of past tragedies like Sandy Hook Elementary School.
It also challenges New Jersey’s strict gun laws, a key focus of Governor Phil Murphy’s administration.
The case highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between gun rights and public safety concerns in America. As courts wrestle with interpreting the Second Amendment, the debate over gun regulations looks set to continue.
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As the case likely moves to higher courts, its outcome could shape firearm policies nationwide for years to come.
