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The Second Amendment Foundation is expanding a lawsuit against New Jersey officials after discovering what it says is a disturbing pattern: law-abiding residents allegedly losing gun rights not because of anything they did, but because of who they lived with.
That’s the central claim in Aliaj v. Fort Lee Police Department, a federal lawsuit that now includes multiple plaintiffs who say Bergen County officials revoked permits, denied applications, and confiscated firearms based solely on concerns about other people living in their homes.
And if SAF’s allegations are accurate, the implications are pretty staggering.
The case originally began with plaintiff Elsid Aliaj, whose firearms were allegedly confiscated by authorities. SAF has now amended the lawsuit to add plaintiffs Martin Hroncich and Luis Rene De La Cruz Franco, both of whom reportedly experienced similar permit denials, revocations, or firearm confiscations.
According to the amended complaint, none of the plaintiffs were prohibited from possessing firearms themselves.
Instead, SAF says county officials targeted them because they shared residences with individuals authorities either believed were prohibited persons or suspected might be prohibited from firearm ownership.
Think about that for a second. Imagine losing your driver’s license because your roommate got too many speeding tickets. Or having your hunting license revoked because your cousin broke a game law.
That’s essentially the constitutional question at the center of this case.
SAF Senior Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack argues Bergen County has effectively adopted a policy of guilt by association.
“What we learned after filing this case on behalf of Mr. Aliaj is that the constitutional abuse he suffered was all too common in Bergen County,” Sack said.
According to SAF, additional residents began contacting the organization after the original lawsuit was filed, describing nearly identical experiences involving permit denials and firearm seizures tied to concerns about family members or cohabitants.
The amended complaint alleges county officials have maintained policies that deprive individuals of their Second Amendment rights based not on their own conduct, but on their relationship with someone else.
SAF founder Alan Gottlieb says the expanded lawsuit demonstrates a broader pattern of constitutional violations.
This confirms what we hear from SAF members in gun-grabbing states like New Jersey all the time,” Gottlieb said. “Local officials do what they want, when they want, without any respect for the law or the Constitution.”
The case now heads forward with multiple plaintiffs and a much broader challenge to Bergen County’s alleged practices.
And if the allegations prove true, the courts may soon have to answer a simple question:
Can the government take away your constitutional rights because of someone else’s conduct?
That’s a question likely to get plenty of attention far beyond New Jersey.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
