Gun Laws And 2aGun Culture And Society
New Jersey Sued Over State's Firearm Suppressor Ban
Gun Rights Advocates Challenge New Jersey's Suppressor Prohibition in Federal Court
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Trenton, NJ
TRENTON, NJ A coalition of gun rights advocacy groups and individual firearm owners filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, July 28, 2025, challenging New Jersey's state-level ban on firearm suppressors, also known as silencers. The complaint argues that the prohibition violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's standard that prohibits banning firearms or accessories in 'common use' for lawful purposes. New Jersey law currently classifies suppressor possession as a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, with very limited exceptions for state-permitted deer management. The plaintiffs contend that suppressors are widely used for legitimate purposes such as hearing protection during recreational shooting and hunting, as well as for home defense. They highlight that suppressors are legal in 42 other states, making New Jersey an outlier. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring the suppressor ban unconstitutional and an injunction to prevent its enforcement. This legal action aligns with a broader national trend of challenging restrictive firearm laws in the wake of recent Supreme Court rulings that have affirmed and expanded Second Amendment protections. One of the plaintiffs, a retired FDNY paramedic and former National Guard combat medic, stated they would use suppressors for training and recreational shooting if the ban were lifted, emphasizing their safety benefits. The outcome of this case could significantly impact firearm accessory laws not only in New Jersey but potentially establish precedents for other states with similar prohibitions.