Third Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey's Ban On AR-15s, High-Capacity Magazines
The en banc court extended the ruling to all semi-automatic rifles, not just AR-15s, over four judges' fierce dissent.
- Judge Freeman's majority opinion secured full support from 8 of the court's 15 judges.
- Court cites roughly 24 million AR-15-style rifles and 100 million 30-round magazines in circulation.
- Case remands to district court to rule on banned pistols, shotguns and other firearms.
Why it matters: The market, not New Jersey's legislature, now writes the boundary of a constitutional right.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Cheeseman v. Platkin opinion ↗ · Jul 17, 20267/17/26 · ✓ Checked✓ Check