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3rd Circuit Overturns NJ Rifle, Magazine Ban; SCOTUS to Review

7/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down New Jersey’s ban on rifles and magazines over ten rounds, the first appellate ruling that such a ban violates the Second Amendment.
Judge Arianna Freeman, a Biden appointee, wrote the opinion using the Bruen test.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport called the ruling incorrect.
The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 majority, will hear challenges to similar bans in Illinois and Connecticut.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 the Supreme Court’s 5-to-4 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller declared that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to keep firearms for self-defense, striking D.C.’s handgun ban. Building on that precedent, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2024 invalidated New Jersey’s rifle-ban, arguing Heller shields ordinary rifles, a move that now pressures the Supreme Court’s pending gun-rights cases.

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Story summary

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down New Jersey’s ban on rifles and magazines over ten rounds, the first appellate ruling that such a ban violates the Second Amendment.
Judge Arianna Freeman, a Biden appointee, wrote the opinion using the Bruen test.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport called the ruling incorrect.
The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 majority, will hear challenges to similar bans in Illinois and Connecticut.

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