Your NRA testified against a slate of anti-gun bills in the Assembly Judiciary Committee last month in Trenton. With plugged ears, anti-gun Democrats forced their agenda through despite testimony revealing numerous problems with the legislation. On Thursday, March 20th, another committee; the Assembly Appropriations Committee, is scheduled to consider the same package of bills.
This is about politics for them, not public safety. They need to keep their anti-gun base satiated because they have proven they have no real answers to fix the state’s enormous problems. They are more interested in holding on to power than ebbing the tide of outbound moving vans.
Again, these are the same bills which passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee and must pass Assembly Appropriations before advancing to the floor.
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. There has never been an explanation why this bill is necessary. Given that New Jersey’s definition would differ from the federal definition, this only makes the water murkier.
A.4975 creates a crime for the possession of digital instructions to manufacture firearms or components. This legislation creates a crime even if someone never produces a gun or component. Simply having a digital file on your computer could subject you to criminal penalties.
A.4976 establishes the crime of reckless discharge. Discharging a firearm in New Jersey is already a crime unless done “for a lawful purpose,” which is an affirmative defense. Given the lack of exceptions in both existing New Jersey law and this legislation, successfully raising such a defense would be exceedingly difficult. There are no exceptions for accidental discharges. This is nothing more than a swipe at concealed carry. Now, every time a firearm is used, even in legitimate situations, rogue prosecutors will have even more ability to bring charges.
A.1389 requires confiscation of ammunition and certain firearms components in response to domestic violence restraining orders or convictions. Of course, New Jersey already has very harsh gun confiscation laws as they pertain to restraining orders. This bill is absurd as it would include components and accessories like spare grips, choke tubes, holsters, and slings. Keep in mind this bill applies to accusations, not just convictions. Even in cases of false accusations, surrender is ordered. We have always been clear that convicted abusers should be punished, but there must be due process.
A.5345 mandates the use of merchant consumer category codes for firearms purchases. This legislation amounts to government-sanctioned snooping. It is a dangerous bill which lays the groundwork for a gun registry and weaponizes the banking industry, leading to potential discrimination of gun owners.
Your help is urgently needed. Even if you sent a message previously, gun owners need sustained pressure to make a difference. It is an election year, and we are not about to give them a free pass. Our message from now until November is simple and consistent. New Jersey has more than enough gun control laws. Stop playing politics and focus on real issues which impact hardworking New Jersey citizens.
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