DOJ Tells Court NJ’s AR-15 and Magazine Bans Violates Second Amendment

AmmoLand ^ | September 22, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

The Donald Trump administration Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an amicus brief defending rights protected by the Second Amendment in the consolidated case to be heard in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The case is ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUBS, INC., et al., v.  ATTORNEY GENERAL NEW JERSEY, et al.

This case is one of the best candidates for courts to make clear that bans on semi-automatic rifles and magazines that hold more than ten rounds are unconstitutional and in conflict with the Second Amendment.

The Trump DOJ was not asked to submit this amicus brief. The Trump DOJ took the initiative to defend rights protected by the Second Amendment.  From the Brief:

The United States is permitted to file amicus briefs without the consent of the parties or leave from the Court.

The brief focuses on two invalid arguments which states refusing to follow Supreme Court guidance on the Second Amendment are using in an attempt to reverse the impact of the Supreme Court decisions.

Some of the inferior Courts (all courts below the Supreme Court are “inferior courts”) are saying “arms” are only arms that are commonly used for self-defense. The other argument is to limit the definition of “common use” to commonly used in self-defense. Both of these arguments are wrong.  From the brief:

This amicus brief addresses two principles of Second Amendment doctrine that have confused other courts. First, the Second Amendment does not secure the right to possess and carry arms only for self-defense or sporting-related purposes, but rather for all “traditionally lawful purposes.” Heller, 554 U.S. at 577. History and tradition confirm that these purposes include the common defense.

[marktwain]

A Trump Administration DOJ actively defending the Second Amendment.

The Trump administration is the most pro-Second Amendment administration ever.

[FlingWingFlyer]

If America really wants to cut down on mass killings, GET RID OF THE PARTY OF Assassins and DEATH. The DemonRATS.

[paulcissa]

This is true, especially when viewed through my lens as a lifetime resident of NJ. Since before I was shooting pellet guns in Cub Scouts, 2A and the freedoms enshrined within it have been fighting a losing battle in this state.

This Brief is good news but nothing has yet come of it. ANJRPC, NJ2F and others are the only thing holding back the tide until now. Pray for us. NJ has become truly tyrannical.

[Dead Corpse]

We don’t even need to do that... just LET US FIGHT BACK. We can take care of the problem ourselves instead of just constantly turning the other cheek.

[Carl Vehse]

"GET RID OF THE PARTY OF Assassins and DEATH. The DemonRATS."

The best way is by having the Demonicrats tried, convicted, and sentenced for giving aid and comfort to the domestic and foreign enemies of the United States.

School children should then be taught in history and civics classes about the evil the Demonicrats wrought upon the United States of America before they were brought to justice.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Ditto.

[stevio]

Hallow point bullets are a felony in New Jersey. For White people anyway.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Another thing is to REOPEN THE MENTAL HOSPITALS CLOSED IN THE 1970S!
Before that there were only THREE MASS KILLINGS not done by organized crime.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/story-first-mass-murder-us-history-180956927/

1949, Howard Unruh, 1966,Richard Speck (with a knife) 1966 Charles Whitman.
When the hospitals were closed down killings by crazies took off like a rocket even though semi-auto rifles have been on the market since 1903.

[Deaf Smith]

Holy bullets?

[stevio]

Ooops.

[T.B. Yoits]

Hallow point bullets are a felony in New Jersey. For White people anyway.

NJ is one of the blue states where the use of hollow point bullets in a crime is an additional felony charge but possession of hollow point bullets is not a felony.

[T.B. Yoits]

Those who signed off on these unconstitutional laws need to be arrested, charged, and shipped back to England, with their sentence such that if they ever set foot in a U.S. state or territory ever again, they will be imprisoned for life.

They're domestic enemies of this country and need to be treated accordingly.

[Deaf Smith]

“Praise the Lord and pass the bullets.”

[stevio]

Amen! 🙏

[from occupied ga]

Or in the case of some of them shipped back to Somalia

[Qwapisking]

Holy bullets? Yes. There’s a hole on one end making them a holy bullet. And hallowed be those unafraid to use them for good. Amen.

[Qwapisking]

Holy bullets? Yes. There’s a hole on one end making them a holy bullet. And hallowed be those unafraid to use them for good. Amen.

[The Great RJ]

Hold my beer….Minnesota Governor, Tampon Tim Walz, is proposing an Amendment to the state’s Constitution to ban the sale or ownership of “assault weapons” to be put on the ballot. Even in the unlikely event this might pass it would stand a snowflakes chance in hell of surviving a SCOTUS put down on Second Amendment grounds.

[PROCON]

RKBA Ping List

This Ping List is for all news pertaining to infringes upon or victories for the 2nd Amendment.

FReepmail me if you want to be added to or deleted from this Ping List.

More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.

[smokingfrog]

You can have hollow point bullets for self defense in your home, but that’s about it. If traveling to the gun range for target practice, you’d better have them locked up in the trunk.