Overview

• By a 2–1 vote, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld most of New Jersey’s Chapter 131 restrictions on carrying firearms in designated sensitive places.
• Judge Cheryl Ann Krause wrote the majority opinion joined by Judge Cindy Chung, while Judge David Porter dissented.
• The court allowed bans on carrying guns in parks, beaches, zoos, libraries, museums, entertainment venues, casinos, healthcare facilities, and locations serving alcohol.
• It struck the $300,000 liability-insurance mandate, invalidated a $50 portion of permit fees, and limited restrictions on carrying firearms in private vehicles.
• The decision reverses a 2023 district court on many location bans, leaves the insurance block in place, drew praise from Attorney General Matthew Platkin, and may be appealed by gun-rights plaintiffs including the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation.