New Jersey: Time Is Running Out To Make Your Voice Heard

A bill’s journey to passage is typically long and winding, but when you have an anti-gun Legislature and perhaps the state’s most anti-gun Governor ever, that trek suddenly becomes much easier.  Legislation to lower the state’s magazine capacity restriction from 15 to 10 rounds is nearing final passage in the Legislature.  However, New Jersey gun owners are accustomed to a tough fight, and it’s critical that New Jersey lawmakers hear from you.  It’s important that you continue contacting your state lawmakers.

Even in a state like New Jersey, constituent communication has a strong impact.  NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters need to make their voices heard!  This fight is not over, and one or more of these bills is almost certain to invite immediate litigation. 

In particular, we are calling on all gun owners to contact their Senator, as well as their Assembly Members, and insist that the following anti-Second Amendment bills be rejected:

• S.102 by Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D) which reduces the minimum magazine capacity restriction from 15 to 10 rounds.  The 15-round limit has had no demonstrated effectiveness on improving public safety and it puts law-abiding gun owners at a definite disadvantage in self-defense situations.  There is a reason law enforcement is exempted.  Criminals do not follow magazine capacity restrictions. 

In addition to S.102, there are other bills which are also bad for law-abiding New Jersey gun owners:

• S.160 by Sen. Vin Gopal (D) would allow for suspension of gun rights by unaccountable “health professionals.” This bill goes so far as to allow marriage counselors, social workers and nurses to cause suspension of your legal rights.
• S.2376 by Sen. Linda Greenstein (D) codifies New Jersey’s “justifiable need” standard for the issuance of concealed carry permits. The bill is a striking blow to the basic fundamental right to self-defense outside the home. It creates a standard so onerous that nobody can meet it, hence the issuance of permits in New Jersey is close to non-existent.
• S.2374 by Sen. Linda Greenstein (D) would require background checks on all firearm transfers. Again, this is redundant because all transactions in New Jersey require a background check. The private transfer of long guns requires an FID card and the issuance of that card requires fingerprinting, a background check and references, among other things. This bill does nothing except add another layer of bureaucracy and fees to an already cumbersome and duplicative process.
• Another bill, S.2259 by Sen. Richard Codey (D), was removed at the last minute from the agenda of the last committee hearing.  There is speculation that it is being amended, and the bill would have to pass committee before advancing to the Senate floor.  This bill creates extreme risk protection orders whereby firearms can be seized and constitutional rights suspended with little to no due process. The bill fails to penalize those who fabricate accusations, and it does nothing to improve public safety.

We are anticipating that these bills could be up for consideration in the Senate as early as next Thursday, June 7.  It’s imperative that you voice opposition to these bills.   Please contact your state Senator, as well as your Assembly Members, and respectfully ask that these bills be defeated.