Gov. Phil Murphy improperly booted a gun rights activist from New Jersey's daily coronavirus press briefings, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society alleges in a new federal lawsuit.

Alexander Roubian, the group's president, attended the briefings in March to ask Murphy about the governor's closure of gun stores and ranges as part of his shutdown of businesses the state believes are not essential. The same day Murphy announced a limited re-opening of gun stores, the Murphy administration started barring Roubian from the briefings.

Roubian's exclusion amounts to retaliation for him "taking on" Murphy over the gun store closures, the lawsuit says.

“The governor’s actions in barring NJ2AS and Mr. Roubian from a public forum such as a press conference is not only inappropriate, it clearly violates their First Amendment rights and the oath of office the governor took to uphold the constitution," Roubian's attorney, Albert Rescinio, said in a statement. "Our First Amendment rights must be protected and the lawsuit filed by NJ2AS and Mr. Roubian are paramount not just to them but to the public at large."

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The five-count complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Newark on Wednesday. It alleges New Jersey has violated the U.S. and New Jersey constitutions. Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan are named as defendants.

The New Jersey Second Amendment Society wants a judge to force the state to issue the group press credentials and require the state to admit Roubian, who the lawsuit calls a reporter, to Murphy's briefings. It had previously sued New Jersey when it closed gun stores entirely.

The group describes itself on its website as a civil rights organization. It does not oversee a publication, but the website has a section for gun-related news posts.

A request for comment from Murphy's office was not returned.

Terrence T. McDonald is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: mcdonaldt@northjersey.com Twitter: @terrencemcd