A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected gunmaker Smith & Wesson’s attempt to quash a subpoena stemming from a consumer fraud probe of the company by New Jersey’s attorney general.

In a precedential decision, the court of appeals affirmed a U.S. District Court judge’s ruling finding that Smith & Wesson’s federal suit seeking to enjoin enforcement of New Jersey’s subpoena was precluded by a state court ruling ordering the company to turn over documents sought by the attorney general.

Chief Judge Michael Chagares of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Courtesy photo