Federal Appeals Court Invalidates New Jersey’s Semiautomatic Rifle and Magazine Restrictions

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Philadelphia, issued a comprehensive decision Friday invalidating New Jersey’s restrictions on semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The ruling found both restrictions incompatible with Second Amendment protections and expanded upon an earlier lower court decision.

The National Rifle Association, which has pursued this litigation since 2018, characterized the ruling as transformative for gun owners. Justin Davis, the NRA’s managing director of public affairs, told Fox News Digital the decision represents “a monumental win” for the organization’s legal efforts.

In a statement, the NRA declared the outcome “a historic victory for the Second Amendment, and law-abiding Americans,” emphasizing that the decision protects commonly owned rifles and standard-capacity magazines from legislative restriction. The organization framed the ruling as part of its broader campaign to challenge gun control measures nationwide.

U.S. Circuit Judge Arianna Freeman wrote the majority opinion, applying the Supreme Court’s framework from District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. These precedents require states to demonstrate that modern firearm restrictions align with America’s historical gun regulation traditions.

The court determined New Jersey failed to meet this constitutional standard regarding both semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazine restrictions. The state enacted its original assault-firearms law in 1990 following a California school shooting, with the governor then describing the targeted weapons as capable of “wholesale destruction.”

Several judges filed dissenting opinions, arguing that military-style semiautomatic weapons represent an unusually dangerous category states have traditionally regulated. Dissenters also noted the decision conflicts with every other federal appeals court that has upheld comparable state firearm restrictions.