3rd Circuit Court Strikes Down New Jersey's Assault Weapon Ban, Potentially Influencing Supreme Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit has struck down New Jersey's bans on assault rifles and large-capacity magazines, ruling 10-5 against the state's laws. This decision grants civilians a Second Amendment right to military-grade weaponry. The ruling was authored by Judge Arianna Freeman, a progressive appointee of President Joe Biden, and may provide the Supreme Court with ideological cover to establish a nationwide right to assault weapons. The decision marks a significant shift, as state bans on such weapons had previously been upheld by federal courts. The ruling is based on the interpretation that weapons in 'common use' cannot be banned, despite their limited use in self-defense. 
