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TRENTON, NJ — Attorneys General Matthew J. Platkin of New Jersey, Kathy Jennings of Delaware, and Michelle Henry of Pennsylvania have reaffirmed their commitment to enacting and defending common-sense gun safety laws. Their stance was emphasized during oral arguments in the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association v. Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security case, presented before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The case centers on Delaware’s legislation restricting assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (LCMs), challenged by National Rifle Association-affiliated plaintiffs. Attorney General Jennings argued against the notion that the Constitution’s framers anticipated modern assault weapons like the AR-15, critiquing the gun lobby’s motives and defending the laws as vital for public safety.

Attorney General Platkin highlighted his collaborative effort with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell of Massachusetts and other states in an amicus curiae brief supporting Delaware’s position. He stressed the urgency of curtailing access to military-grade weapons among civilians, advocating for the Third Circuit to uphold the District Court’s finding that such restrictions align with the Second Amendment.

Echoing her colleagues’ sentiments, Attorney General Henry emphasized the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities, advocating for a balance between preserving freedoms and protecting public safety.

The contested gun safety laws were enacted in Delaware following the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The legislation aims to address the significant risks posed by assault weapons and LCMs, differing substantially from firearms available during the drafting of the Constitution. The District Court, under Judge Richard Andrews, initially dismissed the gun lobby’s challenge, a decision now under review by the Third Circuit.

The collective efforts of New Jersey, Delaware, and several other states underscore a nationwide push for stricter gun regulations, emphasizing the need for modern interpretations of the Second Amendment that prioritize public safety over access to high-capacity and military-style weaponry.