A federal appeals court on July 17 struck down New Jersey’s ban on so-called assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled 8–7 that the state’s dual bans violate the U.S. Constitution.
The term “assault weapons” is a non-technical phrase that can refer to semiautomatic rifles, modern sporting rifles such as those modeled after AR-15s and AKs, semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines, rifles with military-style features, and semiautomatic long guns.
The ruling deepens a split among federal courts of appeals on the constitutionality of state restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines….