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The Garden State just got put on notice.
On July 18th, a powerhouse coalition of gun rights organizations—American Suppressor Association (ASA), National Rifle Association (NRA), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Safari Club International (SCI), Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC), and the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate (NJFOS)—filed a federal lawsuit to overturn New Jersey’s flat-out ban on suppressors.
Also known as silencers (but let’s be real—Hollywood got that term wrong), suppressors reduce the sound of gunfire by 20 to 35 decibels. That’s not James Bond sneaking around—that’s basic hearing protection.
Even the CDC, NIOSH, the American Academy of Otolaryngology, and doctors’ groups agree: suppressors are essential safety tools. But in New Jersey, owning one still makes you a criminal.
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This Lawsuit Could Set Off a Legal Boom
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, joins Anderson v. Raoul in Illinois at the frontlines of pro-suppressor litigation. And this isn’t just a symbolic stand—this is a coordinated legal assault backed by serious national firepower.
“Suppressors are arms under the Second Amendment,” said SAF’s Adam Kraut. “You wouldn’t ban mufflers on cars—so why ban them on firearms?”
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He’s not wrong. Suppressors make shooting safer for the user and more courteous to the people around them. Even Teddy Roosevelt used one while hunting. Europe, of all places, encourages them. But in Trenton, lawmakers are still playing make-believe with action movie myths.
“This case will send shockwaves through the New Jersey statehouse,” said ANJRPC’s Scott Bach. “They’re about to get a wake-up call like no other.”
This Isn’t Just About Decibels—It’s About Rights
ASA’s Knox Williams called the ban “an unacceptable violation of Second Amendment rights” and reminded the public that “out-of-touch bureaucrats” have no authority to override the Constitution just because they don’t like how a piece of equipment looks.
“Suppressors are essential safety devices,” said NRA-ILA’s John Commerford. “This challenge is critical to defending the rights and health of New Jerseyans.”
And from the hunting community, SCI’s CEO W. Laird Hamberlin said:
“This case isn’t just about suppressors—it’s about defending the ability of hunters to pursue game safely and lawfully. We’re standing up for the entire hunting heritage.”
The Bottom Line
New Jersey’s total ban on suppressors has nothing to do with safety—and everything to do with control. These aren’t “tools of assassins”—they’re regulated, serialized, and legally owned by tens of thousands of Americans nationwide. Except, of course, in states like New Jersey, where the Second Amendment gets treated like a suggestion.
This lawsuit aims to change that—and if the coalition behind it has anything to say, Garden State gun owners might finally get their hearing back.
Stay tuned. The silencer fight just got loud.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.