New Jersey's ban on assault weapons ruled unconstitutional by appeals court

Key Points:

• A federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey’s bans on assault firearms and magazines holding more than 10 rounds are unconstitutional, marking the first time a federal appeals court has struck down such a state ban.
• This ruling contrasts with a recent decision by another federal appeals court that upheld Illinois' ban on semiautomatic weapons and comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to review similar Second Amendment issues.
• New Jersey’s Attorney General criticized the ruling as legally incorrect and emphasized the state's intent to address mass shootings, while the NRA hailed it as a historic victory for gun rights.
• The decision challenges laws in New Jersey and 10 other states, plus the District of Columbia, that restrict assault weapons and magazine capacities, raising concerns about the future of gun control legislation.
• Legal experts note the ruling’s significance as it may signal how the Supreme Court will rule on assault weapons bans, highlighting increased vulnerability of gun laws to constitutional challenges.