New Jersey’s legal team might have made a significant mistake in their attempt to counter a challenge to the state’s ban on hollow-point ammunition for civilians, which is largely viewed as a violation of the Second Amendment. This prohibition, rooted in regulations from 1978, has made New Jersey the only state with such stringent restrictions, preventing civilians from carrying these commonly used bullets.
A lawsuit filed in February 2025 by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and other Second Amendment advocacy groups argues on behalf of Heidi Bergman Schoch that the ban infringes upon Second Amendment rights. The complaint states that New Jersey needs to prove a long-standing tradition against the right to carry loaded firearms outside of one’s home for self-defense, a tradition the state apparently cannot substantiate.
Moreover, the complaint criticizes the state’s reliance on international law to defend the ban, asserting that hollow-point bullets, which are often used by law enforcement and citizens alike for protection, do not cause unnecessary suffering and are not illegal in warfare. The brief mentions that these bullets were originally created for hunting, further supporting their legal use.
For decades, hollow-point bullets have been a go-to choice for personal defense. An expert witness, Police Officer Massad Ayoub, highlighted in a 1994 interview why they are favored for self-defense: they reduce the risk of over-penetration, which can endanger bystanders. Ayoub emphasized the importance of ensuring that bullets don’t exit the target, sharing that using bullets designed for deep penetration poses risks not just to the criminal involved but to innocent parties as well.
On the other hand, New Jersey’s firearm regulations have received accolades from anti-Second Amendment organizations, which defended the ban recently during a motion from Second Amendment supporters. The state argued that the plaintiffs dissatisfied with the ban on hollow-point ammunition are still able to possess fully functional firearms for self-defense. They claim that the preference for such ammunition, which critics say is excessively lethal, is not a right protected under the Second Amendment.
In a recent filing, attorneys for GOA and Schoch rebutted New Jersey’s claims by highlighting that the state police carry hollow-point ammunition. This fact contradicts the state’s argument that these bullets play no role in self-defense. Essentially, nearly everyone who carries a handgun for protection in the U.S. is using hollow-point bullets, countering the state’s stance.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office did not respond to requests for comments regarding the case.
