Gun Laws And 2a
NJ Court Upholds Ghost Gun Ban Against Out-of-State Parts Purchases
Superior Court affirms conviction, says assembly illegal even if kits bought where sales are legal
📅
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Trenton, New Jersey
A New Jersey Superior Court has upheld the states prohibition on manufacturing so-called ghost guns, ruling that it is illegal to assemble an untraceable firearm even if the parts were purchased legally in another state. The case involved Malihki X. Oliver, who acquired firearm kits at a Pennsylvania gun show before assembling them in New Jersey. Oliver challenged his conviction, arguing that the parts themselves were lawfully obtained and that the states ban should not apply in such circumstances. Judge Lisa Rose rejected that argument, emphasizing that the laws purpose is to prevent the creation of unserialized, unregulated firearms that cannot be traced by law enforcement. The decision affirms New Jerseys position as one of the most aggressive states in combating ghost gunsa term for privately made firearms without serial numbersamid a broader national effort to curb their spread. The ruling underscores the legal principle that manufacturing a prohibited weapon within a states borders can be prosecuted regardless of where its components originated. Advocates for the ban cite the growing role of ghost guns in violent crime, while opponents warn that such laws criminalize otherwise lawful conduct and may overreach.