New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Grewal: Defending N.J.’s Large-Capacity Magazine Restrictions
Update — On September 28, 2018, the district court issued a favorable decision rejecting the plaintiffs’ challenge to New Jersey’s LCM regulation, siding with the position Giffords Law Center argued for in our amicus brief.
Case Information: Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc., et al. v. Grewal, et al. (D.N.J. amicus brief filed July 6, 2018).
At Issue: Gun lobby groups recently brought a legal challenge to New Jersey AB 2761, a law enacted in 2018 which generally prohibits the possession of large-capacity magazines (LCMs) holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. AB 2761 strengthens existing law in New Jersey, which allowed possession of magazines holding up to 15 rounds. However, gun lobby groups argue that the new 10-round magazine capacity limit violates the Second Amendment, advancing extreme arguments that would support the idea that any magazine limits are unconstitutional.
Giffords Law Center’s Brief: We filed an amicus brief in support of New Jersey’s law that explained the critical need to halt proliferation and use of military-grade LCMs by mass shooters and other criminals. Giffords Law Center’s amicus brief argues that the Second Amendment does not protect magazines that are unnecessary for self-defense and the favored tool of mass killers. Gunmen who perpetrated the deadliest mass shootings in US history have been able to murder more people by using LCMs that enable firing more bullets before it is necessary to reload—a critical pause when many rampage shooters are stopped.