New Jersey Just Lost Its Assault Weapons Ban. Here’s Why That Matters for the Rest of the Country.

A federal appellate court struck down New Jersey’s assault weapons ban on Second Amendment grounds, marking the first such ruling in a case that could influence similar laws in other states. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals decision, led by Judge Arianna Freeman, cited U.S. Supreme Court precedents as grounds for invalidating the law, potentially affecting Delaware, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and pending cases in Illinois and Connecticut. The Supreme Court will hear challenges to assault weapons bans later this year, with a ruling expected by 2027.