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.

[NorthMountain]

Holy bullets ... for use on vampires and demons ... you can understand why the democRATs want to ban them.

[Fireone]

Someone needs to forward this to that buffoon Tim Walz.
He is in the process of starting this fight, again, in MN.

[1Old Pro]

Someone needs to forward this to that buffoon Tim Walz. He is in the process of starting this fight, again, in MN.

This ruling will set precedent for all states that restrict to 10, like NYS.