TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Monday that he is spearheading a coalition of more than a dozen states to defend two key federal gun safety regulations enacted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), amid concerns the incoming Trump administration may abandon their enforcement.

The legal actions support the ATF’s nationwide ban on “Forced Reset Triggers” (FRTs), devices that illegally convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, and defend the ATF’s “engaged in the business” rule, which expands background check requirements for firearm dealers under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“Protecting our residents and combating gun violence has always been my top priority,” Platkin said in a statement. “We will fight devices that allow dangerous people to turn their guns into illegal military-style machine guns and fight to close the gun show loophole so that felons and domestic abusers can’t get their hands on weapons.”

New Jersey’s involvement comes in response to a Texas federal court ruling that blocked ATF enforcement of the FRT ban and ordered the return of seized devices by February 22, 2025. State officials argue that lifting the ban would lead to the widespread distribution of these devices, increasing the risk of mass shootings.

Governor Phil Murphy expressed support for the legal action, stating, “Our residents deserve to feel safe in every space they occupy, which is why we will continue to take all necessary actions to build on the progress we have made, keeping public safety at the forefront of our decisions.”

Joining New Jersey in the filings are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

The coalition’s legal challenge aims to maintain federal safeguards against gun violence as political shifts threaten to weaken these protections.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.