New lawsuit targets NJ weapon laws

Gun rights groups sued New Jersey to overturn bans on knives, stun guns, slingshots, and bats for self-defense.

“The Second Amendment protects all common arms not just guns”

Second Amendment claim

Attorneys argue New Jersey's rules prevent using less-lethal tools for self-defense, violating Second Amendment rights.

“Arms come in many forms, not just guns”

What's banned?

New Jersey law prohibits carrying baseball bats, hammers, screwdrivers, knives, and pepper spray for self-defense.

“A baseball bat, a hammer, a screwdriver, any knife, a box cutter, pepper spray”

Bruen decision impact

The Supreme Court's Bruen ruling requires gun restrictions to be rooted in historical traditions from the late 1700s.

“Arms come in many forms, not just guns”

Why sue?

Plaintiffs say New Jersey's laws conflict with Bruen by banning everyday objects for self-defense.

“New Jersey law still explicitly bans and punishes the carry of common, everyday objects”

Who's involved?

The lawsuit names New Jersey's attorney general and state police superintendent as defendants.

“New Jersey's commonsense restrictions on weapons keep our residents safe”

Plaintiffs' background

Wendy Copenhaver and her brother own a gun range, Walter Everard is a retired pipefitter and Navy veteran, and Salvatore Marsilla runs an auto store.

Previous challenges

Gun rights groups have challenged New Jersey's gun laws on Second Amendment grounds multiple times in recent years.

State response

New Jersey officials vow to defend the state's weapon restrictions while claiming they keep residents safe.

“New Jersey's commonsense restrictions on weapons keep our residents safe”

Historical context

New Jersey's weapon laws were challenged after the Supreme Court ruled in Bruen that gun restrictions must follow historical traditions.