TRENTON, NJ – A federal judge in California has ruled that magazine capacity limits are illegal and a violation of the Second Amendment. That decision is having a rippling effect in states like New Jersey that impose a ten round limit on all firearms magazine capacities.
Intentionally misrepresented as a ‘high capacity magazine ban’, the New Jersey law is technically a ‘standard capacity magazine ban’ as most magazines sold nationwide can hold twenty and thirty rounds of ammunition. The ‘high capacity’ terminology was branded by politicians seeking mislead the public during the adoption of the ban.
Today, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC) recently filed motions with a lower federal court regarding the joint cases on magazine bans and assault firearm bans. These motions seek a “summary judgment” and aim to dismiss expert testimony they deem irrelevant.
The organization’s lawsuit on magazine bans experienced a revival in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court remanded the case to the lower federal court, post the Bruen decision. This case encountered procedural delays due to court-ordered “discovery” and became further intricate upon merging with the ANJRPC’s newer challenge against the assault firearms law. Following the conclusion of the discovery phase, ANJRPC has now proposed the latest motions to dismiss the State’s expert remarks and conclude the lawsuit.
The State is slated to present its counter-response by November 3, which might also encompass additional motions. Subsequent rounds of briefing are planned, ending on December 22. The court is then expected to conduct oral hearings on these motions in early 2024, leading to a subsequent judgment. Regardless of the court’s decision on these motions, an appeal to the mid-tier federal appellate court is anticipated.
ANJRPC will continue to update the public at each juncture of the case. They also encourage supporters to subscribe to their email alerts for timely updates and have provided an option for financial contributions towards the lawsuits.