New Jersey: Assembly Judiciary Committee Advances Gun Bills

Despite being unprepared, Democrats running the Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced a package of gun bills Thursday. The hearing started an hour and a half late as they fumbled with amendments to “fix” the bills. There was legislation impacting the Attorney General and law enforcement, but committee members admitted they consulted neither. Second Amendment groups? They did not bother to talk to them either. These anti-gun politicians were not looking for input, and it showed. Please use the Take Action button below and ask your Assembly member for a NO vote on any gun control.

This was an exercise in pure politics, and it was never about public safety. NRA State Director Darin Goens testified against the bills, pointing out that these bills are unnecessary and deeply flawed.  Republican committee members Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-39) and Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (R-13) did a terrific job questioning the bills and supporting law-abiding gun owners. Some of the worst bills included:

A.4974 prescribes penalties for the sale and possession of “machine gun conversion devices.” Such devices are already banned at both the state and federal level.    

A.4975 creates a crime for possession of digital instructions to illegally manufacture firearms or firearm components. This legislation creates a crime even if someone never produces a gun or component. Simply having a digital file for a component on your computer makes you a criminal. 

A.4976 establishes the crime of reckless discharge. Discharging a firearm in New Jersey is already illegal unless done “for a lawful purpose,” which is an affirmative defense. This is nothing more than a swipe at concealed carry. Now, every time a firearm is used, even in legitimate self-defense situations, prosecutors will have more tools to harass law-abiding gun owners. There is also no exception for accidental discharges.   

A.1389 requires confiscation of ammunition and firearms components in response to domestic violence restraining orders or convictions. This bill applies to accusations, even false accusations, not just convictions. Current law already requires confiscation of firearms, but this bill is absurd as it would now require confiscation of components like spare grips, scope caps, cleaning kits, choke tubes, holsters and slings. 

A.5345 mandates the use of Merchant Category Codes.  This is nothing more than government sanctioned snooping that can be used to create a firearms registry or discriminate against gun owners and lawful businesses. 

These bills still have a long way to go, and your help is needed.  Please help us keep up the pressure by contacting your Assembly members. Please stay tuned to www.NRAILA.org and your email inbox for updates concerning your Second Amendment rights.