Big news from New Jersey, folks — and it's about time. The New Jersey State Police have officially told firearms dealers that the Third Circuit's landmark ruling striking down the state's unconstitutional bans on common semiautomatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines takes effect July 31, 2026.
That's right. After decades of New Jersey treating AR-15s and similar rifles like they're some kind of forbidden weapons of war — while millions of Americans lawfully own them across the country — the court has spoken. The state's "assault firearm" bans are unconstitutional. Period.
The NJSP Firearms Dealer Investigation Unit sent out the notification acknowledging they're working with the Attorney General's office to develop "practical guidance" for dealers and residents. Look, I understand dealers need to know the rules, but let's be clear: this isn't guidance the state gets to negotiate. The court ruled. These bans are gone. What the state shouldn't be doing is using "guidance" as a workaround to keep restrictions alive through bureaucratic red tape.
The Third Circuit's en banc decision back in July was a 10-5 ruling that recognized what any honest person already knows — semiautomatic rifles are protected "Arms" under the Second Amendment, and there's no meaningful difference between a Colt AR-15 and the millions of similar rifles owned by law-abiding citizens. Same goes for magazines. The court rightfully rejected New Jersey's attempt to pretend a 10-round magazine is fine but an 11-rounder is somehow too dangerous. That's arbitrary nonsense, and the court called it out.
Now dealers like Middlebrook Firearms are doing the responsible thing — continuing to follow current law while awaiting instructions. Smart move. But here's what I tell my customers: come July 31, the law changes. If you've been putting off buying an AR or stocking up on standard magazines because New Jersey made it a crime, your wait is almost over.
The state has spent decades criminalizing common firearms. Now their own police department is telling dealers to prepare for the bans to fall. That's not the government doing us a favor — that's the Constitution being upheld. Let's make sure they don't find another way to tie us up in court.