On Friday, in a decision written by a Joe Biden nominee, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled that New Jersey's ban on semi-automatic rifles that legislators describe as "assault firearms" violates the Second Amendment. The appeals court reached the same conclusion regarding New Jersey's ban on "large capacity magazines" (LCMs), currently defined as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
The 5th Circuit's decision in Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Platkin addresses three consolidated challenges to these laws. Two years ago in the same case, U.S. District Judge Peter Sheridan agreed with the plaintiffs that New Jersey's "assault firearm" ban was unconstitutional to the extent that it prohibited possession of AR-15-style rifles. But his decision did not address other guns covered by the law, and it upheld the LCM ban.
