New Jersey Firearm Owners Syndicate intends to pursue an array of impact litigation at the federal and state to challenge New Jersey laws and regulations that limit and overburden the rights of New Jersey residents with respect to the right to keep and bear arms, or fully restrain the exercise thereof.
Our board is establishing a priority scheme with regards to future litigation, working with national regional partners and will update our members here as cases are filed.
We also intend to use our platform to file “friend of the court” briefs in matters we are not party to so that we can ensure that State and Federal courts hear the concerns of New Jersey residents.
Active Cases – Coming Soon – Lawsuit Printer Warming Up
Prior Cases We Have Individually Supported: Prior to the formation of New Jersey Firearm Owners Syndicate, NJFOS board members have been involved in numerous litigation efforts through our many great 2nd Amendment allies around the State and across the Nation. Those cases include:
Federal Cases
Cheeseman v Platkin (a consolidated action with ANJRPC v Platkin currently before the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals)
A pre-Bruen challenge to New Jersey’s assault weapon ban that was DVR’d with the Bruen decision and reheard in the District Court. Summary judgment granted in favor of plaintiffs ordering that the Colt AR-15 is a constitutionally protected arm. An appeal is currently before the 3rd Circuit. NJFOS President Mark Cheeseman is the named plaintiff.
Benton v Platkin (New Jersey Federal District Court, 2024)
A de novo challenge to New Jersey’s purchase permit scheme. Syndicate President Mark Cheeseman, EVP Jay Factor and the Syndicate team coordinated the lawsuit with CNJFO and raised approximately $50,000 from Syndicate members.
Cheeseman v Pollilo (Supreme Court of the United States, writ denied, 2020)
A pre-Bruen challenge to New Jersey’s “may issue” permitting scheme, one of several cases that term that set up the Bruen decision. Mark Cheeseman was the named plaintiff.
Cheeseman v Porrino (Federal District Court of New Jersey, 2017)A federal challenge to the State’s ban on stun guns that ran concurrently with Caetano. In the wake of the Caetano decision at the Supreme Court this case ended in a successful settlement with the AG’s Office, conceding that the State’s ban on stun guns was unconstitutional.
New Jersey State Court Challenges
IN THE MATTER OF DENIAL OF APPLICATION OF FACTOR, NJ: Appellate Div. Docket No. A-5202-08T4. (2010)
IN RE APPLICATION CHEESEMAN, NJ: Appellate Div. Docket No. A-2412-17T2. (2018)
IN THE MATTER OF DENIAL OF A PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN FOR JOHN JILLARD, NJ: Appellate Div. Docket No. A-2346-17T1. (2018)
MATTER OF DENIAL OF PERMIT TO CARRY HANDGUN FOR JILLARD, 206 A. 3d 965 – NJ: Supreme Court (2019)
IN RE APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN OF CHEESEMAN, 206 A. 3d 955 – NJ: Supreme Court (2019)
Amicus Briefs
Cheeseman v Polillo (petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States, 2019)
A pre-Bruen challenge to “may issue” permitting schemes.
Rogers v Grewal (petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States, 2019)
A pre-Bruen challenge to “may issue” permitting schemes. Justice Thomas’s dissent to the denial of a writ of certiorari is what set up the Bruen case for review.
Siegel v Platkin (3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, 2023)
A post-Bruen challenge to the New Jersey “Bruen response bill” passed by the New Jersey legislature establishing sensitive places where concealed carry is prohibited, onerous applications standards and fees.