New Jersey District Court Holds Colt AR-15 Ban Unconstitutional but Upholds Magazine Ban in NRA-Supported Case

On July 30, 2024, in Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. v. Platkin, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a mixed decision in NRA-supported challenges to New Jersey’s “assault firearm” and magazine bans.

The court considered only the provision of New Jersey’s Assault Firearms Law that bans the Colt AR-15, because the court had received the most information about that particular firearm. The court held that ban unconstitutional because the Colt AR-15 is “overwhelmingly chosen by American society for a lawful purpose” and “well-adapted for self-defense,” while there is no historical tradition that justifies banning such arms.

The court upheld New Jersey’s ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, however. While the court concluded that the magazines are “arms” under the Second Amendment, it determined that historical restrictions on Bowie knives established a tradition that supports the magazine ban.

The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs announced that it will appeal portions of the decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and it is likely that the State of New Jersey will file an appeal as well.

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for future updates on NRA-ILA’s ongoing efforts to defend your constitutional rights.