PHILADELPHIA — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today released the following statement ahead of oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in ANJRPC v. Platkin:

“New Jersey’s common-sense gun safety laws have been responsible for back-to-back record low numbers of shootings in our state in the last two years and being on track to beat that record again this year – but this significant achievement is under threat by the gun lobby seeking to bolster their profits at the cost of the lives of New Jerseyans. Over the course of the Murphy Administration, we have never wavered in our commitment to saving lives in our state. Whether it is establishing our Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office and bringing successful suits to hold gun industry members accountable, successfully defending New Jersey’s concealed carry restrictions and other gun safety laws after the Bruen decision, or working with Governor Murphy to enact the most significant gun safety reforms in the history of our state, we have always fought to protect lives in New Jersey, and we have built up a record of success. We look forward to today’s oral arguments and to continuing this important work.”

The oral arguments are being held before an en banc panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In today’s hearing, the Office of the Attorney General will defend New Jersey’s longstanding assault weapon and large capacity magazine restrictions – common-sense gun safety laws that were first enacted 35 years ago and continue to protect New Jerseyans today.

Poorly suited for civilian self-defense while well-suited for military combat and crime, these weapons and magazines are designed for long-range combat scenarios to kill as many combatants as quickly as possible. These weapons and LCMs are disproportionately used in mass shootings across the country, including the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, the Las Vegas mass shooting, the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and many other horrific acts of violence.

To date, every Circuit to consider Second Amendment challenges to similar bans after the Bruen decision has rejected them. This morning, Solicitor General Jeremy Feigenbaum will present oral argument to the Third Circuit to do the same.