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Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
By AP at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
This is the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on such weapons, and it comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles violate the Second Amendment.
Key takeaway Supreme Court is set to consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles violate the Second Amendment.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The ruling by the federal appeals court on New Jersey's assault weapons ban has significant implications for California, particularly in cities like San Francisco where gun control measures have been a topic of discussion. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the constitutionality of bans on semiautomatic rifles, San Francisco residents may be watching closely to see how this decision could impact local laws. California has its own laws regulating assault weapons, and a ruling that such bans are unconstitutional could potentially lead to challenges to these laws. This could have a direct impact on public safety efforts in San Francisco, where law enforcement and community leaders have been working to reduce gun violence. The city's proximity to the Supreme Court's decision makes it a crucial time for San Francisco to consider its own stance on gun control and how it may be affected by the impending ruling.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? This is the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state ban on such weapons, and it comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether bans on semiautomatic rifles violate the Second Amendment.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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