A federal appeals court has upheld New Jersey’s law banning guns from “sensitive places,” marking a major win for the state after a lengthy legal battle.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin called the Sept. 10 ruling a “complete victory,” saying it confirms that concealed firearms cannot be carried into schools, playgrounds, parks, zoos, bars, concert venues, or other public gathering spots. “The gun lobby for years has argued baselessly that they have this unfettered right to bring a gun concealed wherever they want it … and the court emphatically said that’s not true,” Platkin said.
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The decision, issued by Judges Cheryl Krause, David Porter, and Cindy Chung of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, allows New Jersey to enforce concealed carry restrictions within 100 feet of public gatherings and in places such as libraries, museums, beaches, casinos, stadiums, health care facilities, and youth sporting events.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the legislation on July 5, 2022, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, which struck down New York’s concealed carry law. Gun rights groups quickly sued, and a federal judge temporarily blocked parts of New Jersey’s law, calling it “plainly unconstitutional” and “aimed primarily … at law-abiding, responsible citizens.”
The state appealed within hours, arguing the lower court erred. The Third Circuit ruling now clears the way for enforcement of most restrictions.
The legal challenges were brought by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, along with individual plaintiffs and organizations including the Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners, and the New Jersey Second Amendment Society. The lawsuits were later consolidated.
Platkin noted that firearms remain the leading cause of death among children, adding that New Jersey’s gun safety efforts have helped reduce violence to its lowest recorded level.
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