Gun lobby groups, including the NRA, join forces to challenge New Jersey's ban on firearm sound suppressors in a collective legal action.
In a significant move to restore Second Amendment rights in New Jersey, a coalition of six gun rights organisations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), has filed a joint federal lawsuit in the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit aims to overturn the state's unconstitutional ban on firearm suppressors, also known as silencers.
The ban on silencers in New Jersey is seen as a significant step that deprives residents of access to constitutionally protected arms, according to the Executive Director of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Adam Kraut. He further stated that the ban violates the rights of law-abiding gun owners across the state.
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is proud to stand firm with its partners in the fight to restore the constitutional rights of all Americans regarding suppressors. The ASA President and Executive Director, Knox Williams, expressed his disapproval of the ban, stating it as an unacceptable violation of Second Amendment rights.
The NRA is partnering with like-minded allies, including the New Jersey Firearms Owners' Association (NJFOS), to restore constitutional protection for suppressors in New Jersey. John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director, stated that suppressors are essential for reducing the risk of hearing loss for gun owners and hunters.
The use of silencers provides benefits to surrounding communities by mitigating the noise created when shooting guns. They are also considered essential safety devices that protect the hearing and preserve situational awareness for millions of gun owners and sportsmen. Suppressors, when attached to firearms, are considered "arms" under the Second Amendment and enjoy the same constitutional protection.
Safari Club International, an organisation with a strong record of litigating to protect regulated bear hunting in New Jersey, is joining forces with other organisations in this litigation to defend the Second Amendment and hunting heritage. ANJRPC is also proud to be a part of the historic effort to overturn New Jersey's unconstitutional ban on silencers.
Lawmakers often rely on Hollywood's characterization of silencers to justify their bans, according to SAF. However, in reality, silencers are designed to mitigate damage to a user's ears when firing a gun, similar to a car muffler. They reduce the noise of a gunshot by an average of 20 to 35 decibels.
The judge presiding over the case involving the joint lawsuit by six gun rights organisations against New Jersey's unconstitutional ban on suppressors in the District of New Jersey federal court is Chief Judge Freda L. Wolfson. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for other states with similar bans on suppressors.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt is known to have used silencers while hunting, and they are commonly used in Europe. The Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Hearing Conservation Association, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership all recommend the use of suppressors as a tool to mitigate preventable hearing damage.
The government cannot categorically ban suppressors without first proving a historical tradition of such bans. This lawsuit could potentially challenge this assumption and pave the way for a more balanced approach to gun safety and hearing protection in New Jersey.
