The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, sitting en banc, voted 10-5 to invalidate New Jersey’s bans on assault rifles and large-capacity magazines. Judge Arianna Freeman, a Biden appointee, authored the majority opinion. The decision was issued the Friday before July 24, 2026.
“Two Liberal Judges Just Gave the Supreme Court Cover to Legalize Assault Weapons”
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The ruling represents a setback for evidence-based gun-safety policy and shifts the burden onto public-safety advocates.
“Democratic legislature’s restrictions invalidated by court including liberal judges”
The decision affirms Second Amendment protections for commonly owned firearms under Bruen.
“Originalist framework applied even by Biden appointee”
The outcome checks state restrictions that limit individual acquisition of common firearms for self-defense.
“Personal autonomy prioritized over regulatory schemes”
All three views accept the premise that liberal-judge participation hands the Supreme Court cover, while ignoring possible stays, circuit splits, and the narrow doctrinal scope of the opinion.
“Shared narrative flattens technical dispute into partisan signaling”
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