Thursday, August 8, 2013

Governor Christie Signs Ten Gun Control Bills

Responsibly addressing gun violence in a comprehensive manner, New Jersey Governor  Chris Christie today signed into law 10 pieces of gun violence and firearm-related legislation recently passed by the Legislature. These bills build on the plan Governor Christie introduced in April, as well as New Jersey’s already strict gun laws, currently the second toughest in the nation.

“These commonsense measures will both strengthen New Jersey’s already tough gun laws and upgrade penalties for those who commit gun crimes and violate gun trafficking laws,” said Governor Christie. “As elected leaders, our first duty is to maintain public safety, and these new laws will help reduce gun violence and keep our streets and communities safer.”


There are still other gun control measures awaiting action from the Governor, either his signature or a veto.

Governor Christie included a signing statement with Assembly Bill No. 3687, which prevents individuals on the federal Terrorist Watchlist from obtaining a firearms identification card or permit to purchase handgun. The Governor noted that the bill represents his “commitment to keeping the citizens of New Jersey safe,” but also noted the federal government’s obligation to protect law-abiding citizens against “improper scrutiny.” In carrying out that balance, Governor Christie said, “the government must be circumspect in its application of the law. There is little room for mistakes since they may harm the innocent and law abiding.”



BILLS SIGNED:

              S-1279/A-4179 (Turner, Norcross/Mainor, Singleton, Johnson) - Upgrades penalty for unlawfully transferring a firearm to an underage person; permits transfer for instruction and training

            SCS for S-2430/ACS for A-3690 (Lesniak, Turner/Cryan. Coutinho, Gusciora, Tucker, Mainor, Quijano, Sumter) - Declares violence a public health crisis and establish “Study Commission on Violence”

            S-2468/A-4180 (Norcross, Bateman/Wilson) – Authorizes impoundment of motor vehicles for certain crimes and offenses

            S-2719/ACS for A-3953, 3854 (Norcross, Gill, Allen/Singleton, Oliver, Eustace, Spencer, Sumter, Caride) – Enhances penalties for certain firearms offenses; designated as Anti-Gun Trafficking Act of 2013

            S-2720/A-4181 (Weinberg/Johnson) - Clarifies that information concerning the total number of firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun issued in a municipality are public records

            S-2804/A-4152 (Turner, Sweeney/Wilson, Johnson) - Upgrades certain unlawful possession of firearms to first degree crime; revises certain penalties under the “Grave Act”

            A-3687/S-2485 (Stender, Fuentes, Quijano/Scutari, Gill) – W/STATEMENT -  Disqualifies person named on federal Terrorist Watchlist from obtaining firearms identification card or permit to purchase handgun

A-3717/SCS for S-2492 (Lampitt, Singleton, Eustace, Gusciora, Johnson/Buono, Gill) - Requires submission of certain mental health records to National Instant Criminal Background Check System

A-3788/S-2552 (Rible, Dancer, A.M. Bucco, McHose, Webber/Van Drew, Oroho) - Codifies regulation exempting firearms records from State's open public records law

A-3796/S-2722 (Mainor/Norcross) - Provides 180-day window for persons to dispose of certain unlawfully possessed firearms

A copy of the Governor’s signing statement for A-3687 is attached.

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