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In a landmark decision that is already sparking controversy and debate across the state, the New Hampshire Supreme Court has overturned a ban on assault weapons, ruling it unconstitutional under the state's constitution. The decision, handed down on Friday, has been met with both praise and outrage, as gun control advocates and Second Amendment supporters clash over the implications of the ruling.The case, brought before the state's highest court by a group of gun rights activists, challenged a 2019 law that banned the sale, possession, and use of assault weapons in New Hampshire. The activists argued that the law violated their constitutional right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the state's constitution.In a 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court agreed with the activists, finding that the ban on assault weapons was a violation of the state's constitution. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Rebecca Parker, stated that the right to bear arms is "fundamental to the maintenance of a free society" and that the state's ban on assault weapons was overly broad and infringed on that right.The decision has already sparked intense reactions from both sides of the gun control debate. Gun rights activists have hailed the ruling as a victory for the Second Amendment and individual freedoms, while gun control advocates have decried it as a setback for public safety and the fight against gun violence.Governor Emily Sullivan, a vocal supporter of gun control measures, expressed disappointment with the court's decision. In a statement released shortly after the ruling, Governor Sullivan vowed to work with lawmakers to explore other avenues for enacting gun control measures in the state.Meanwhile, gun rights groups and activists have hailed the ruling as a major victory for their cause. The New Hampshire Firearms Rights Coalition, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, released a statement praising the Supreme Court for upholding the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms for self-defense.The implications of the Supreme Court's decision are likely to reverberate across the state for years to come, as lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue grapple with how to move forward in the wake of this landmark ruling. With the debate over gun rights and gun control continuing to be a deeply divisive and contentious issue, it remains to be seen what impact this decision will have on the future of gun laws in New Hampshire.