safety
Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
By Josh Kelety, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that New Jersey's bans on assault firearms and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds are unconstitutional.This is the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on such weapons, and it comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to conside...
Key takeaway Friday's appeals court ruling in the New Jersey case goes further than a July 2024 ruling from a federal judge, who said that the state's ban on AR-15s specifically was unconstitutional but upheld the provision barring larger magazines.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The ruling by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on New Jersey's assault weapons ban has implications for San Antonio , where gun violence remains a concern. As the city continues to grapple with public safety issues, the decision may influence the trajectory of local gun control efforts. San Antonio's own experiences with mass shootings, such as the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, have led to calls for stricter gun laws. The fact that a federal appeals court has now struck down a state ban on assault firearms and large capacity magazines may embolden gun rights advocates in Texas, potentially affecting the state's own gun control debates. Meanwhile, local law enforcement and community leaders may need to reassess their strategies for addressing gun violence, considering the potential shift in the legal landscape. The ruling's impact on San Antonio will depend on how Texas lawmakers and courts respond to the decision.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A federal appeals court ruled Friday that New Jersey's bans on assault firearms and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds are unconstitutional.This is the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on such weapons, and it comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to conside...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josh Kelety, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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