On Monday, March 24th, the Assembly has an afternoon voting session scheduled with several gun control bills on the agenda. They will almost certainly be supplemented with the package of bills rubber-stamped by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday. Those bills already passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee but were amended in Appropriations. Do not be fooled as nothing was “fixed.” They find clever ways to respond to the points we raise in committee without deviating from their gun control mission. Click the TAKE ACTION button below to contact committee members NOW.
The worst of the bills include:
A.4974 prescribing 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. 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.
Even if you've reached out before, sustained pressure is crucial. Contacting legislators does make a difference—amendments are made, bills are scrapped, and abstentions happen. Silence ensures bills pass in their worst form. The more weakened these bills are in the Assembly, the easier it is to fight them in the Senate. Our message is clear: New Jersey has enough gun control laws. Stop playing politics and focus on issues that impact hardworking citizens.
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