On March 23, 2020, at approximately 2:55AM EST, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society and the Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit against New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy and the Superintendent of New Jersey State Police, Patrick Callahan, for unilaterally shutting down all gun stores, ranges, and background check system.

On March 21, 202, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 107 amidst the Corona crisis and closed down all” non-essential” businesses without giving an exemption for critical and essential gun stores and ranges.

This lawsuit is paramount because the right to exercise the Second Amendment is a fundamental and constitutional right to protect life and property. The closures of gun ranges and training facilities are also essential because part of the Second Amendment is being proficient in the Second Amendment.

Murphy and Callahan are being sued in their official capacities. The case, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the State of New Jersey is known as Kashinsky v. Murphy.

A copy of the complaint can be viewed by clicking here.

“Governor Murphy wasted NO time to exploit a tragic pandemic to push his radical and draconian anti-self defense agenda to undermine the Second Amendment even further. At a time where the Second Amendment is most critical and vital, Governor Murphy believes liquor and home improvement is more critical than self-defense. They unilaterally claim the police are overwhelmed and cannot respond to all criminal activity, yet they decided to close gun stores and ranges, that sell many forms of lethal and non-lethal tools for self defense” said Alex “Alejandro” Roubian, President of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society.

“If you are poor and a minority living in urban cities where the police take hours to show up, if they show up at all, Governor Murphy just told those people their lives don’t matter. This is what happens when you hand all power to the government and require to ask permission. They steal your rights.” Said Roubian

“In order for New Jersey residents to purchase firearms,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “they must go through a licensed firearms retailer and pass a background check. However, Murphy’s order was subsequently followed by a notice posted on the State Police website that the agency is no longer conducting background checks.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction restraining the defendants and everyone acting on their behalf from enforcing Executive Order 107 “to the extent it operates to flatly prohibit the purchase and sale of firearms and ammunition.”



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