TRENTON, NJ – A federal judge has ruled that New Jersey’s ban on AR-15 rifles is unconstitutional, applying the decision specifically to the Colt AR-15 and permitting its use for self-defense within the home.
This decision, handed down on Tuesday, has sparked significant pushback from state officials, including Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Attorney General Platkin expressed strong disapproval of the ruling, asserting that it misinterprets the Second Amendment. He stated, “Today’s decision weaponizes the Second Amendment to undermine public safety. I am disappointed that the district court has held that individuals have a constitutional right to possess the Colt AR-15, a ruling that has no support in the text or the history of the Constitution.”
Platkin emphasized that the AR-15 is designed for warfare and is commonly used in mass shootings, causing widespread harm.
FACT CHECK: The Colt AR-15 was not designed for warfare. The Colt M-16 was. The AR-15 was designed as a civilian-legal variant of the M-16, in semiautomatic form. It was designed for personal and law enforcement use.
He noted that the court upheld New Jersey’s restrictions on large-capacity magazines and other assault weapons, maintaining most of the state’s gun control laws. However, Platkin vowed to appeal the decision, reaffirming the state’s commitment to enforcing its comprehensive firearms regulations.
Fact Check: AR-15 does not stand for Assault Rifle-15, it stands for Armalite, a California based small arms manufacturer.
The controversy centers around the interpretation of the Second Amendment and its application to modern firearms. As the legal battle continues, the ruling has heightened the ongoing debate over gun control and public safety in New Jersey and across the United States.
Fact Check: The use of semi-automatic rifles in violent crimes in New Jersey is minimal and the use of AR-15’s is even less, when compared to handgun related violence. According to a Department of Justice report, 72% of all gun crimes are committed with handguns. A large portion of those guns are stolen or illegally owned. Less than 10% of crimes are committed with semi-automatic rifles.
The court upheld New Jersey’s ban on magazine capacities over 10 rounds. Gun rights groups have already appealed that decision.
