TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against RW Arms, a Texas-based firearms accessory company, alleging it unlawfully advertised and sold bump stocks to consumers in New Jersey.
Bump stocks, which are banned under New Jersey law, are devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate similar to that of machine guns by harnessing recoil energy. State officials say the illegal sale and possession of these devices significantly increases the danger posed by firearms, citing violent incidents in which bump stocks contributed to higher casualty counts.
“Bump stocks are dangerous devices that dramatically increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic firearms, and New Jersey has zero tolerance for them in our state,” Platkin said in a statement. “We will continue to investigate and take action against companies that market and ship these lethal devices into New Jersey in violation of our laws.”
According to the complaint filed in Superior Court in Essex County, RW Arms violated the state’s Consumer Fraud Act and Hazardous Products Regulations by advertising and selling bump stocks without informing consumers that the devices are illegal in New Jersey. Possession of a bump stock in the state is a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The state also alleges RW Arms misled consumers by suggesting bump stocks were legal, including through promotional banners stating “Supreme Court lifts Bump Stock ban!” and including ATF documents and operating instructions claiming the products were not machine guns under federal law.
“RW Arms’ alleged unlawful advertisement and sale of illegal bump stocks into New Jersey demonstrates a blatant disregard for the laws intended to keep our communities safe,” said Acting Division Director Elizabeth M. Harris.
An undercover investigator with the Division of Consumer Affairs purchased bump stocks from the company’s website in August and September of 2024. During the purchase process, no warnings were provided about New Jersey’s ban, even after a New Jersey shipping address was entered. The investigator also received promotional emails advertising the illegal products, without any disclaimers about their illegality in the state.
The lawsuit seeks maximum civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, and a court order requiring RW Arms to block bump stock shipments to New Jersey and display clear warnings about state law on its website.
New Jersey passed legislation banning bump stocks in 2017, the same year they were used in the Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 people and injured more than 800. Although the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks in June 2024, New Jersey’s prohibition remains in effect.
This action follows similar enforcement efforts, including settlements and lawsuits with firearms dealers over the sale of large-capacity magazines, which are also banned under state law.
