THE GUN ROOM

Urgent: Three Anti-Gun Bills Heading to New Jersey Senate!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Please Contact Your State Senator Today!

On Monday, December 17, the New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans�?Affairs Committee passed three bills that will have serious consequences for the Garden State’s law-abiding gun owners.

S2470, sponsored by State Senator Shirley Turner (D-15) would criminalize the transfer of ammunition to anyone who does not have a valid New Jersey firearms ID card, handgun carry or purchase permit, or hunting license. While intended to prevent criminals from obtaining ammunition, the legislation would only impact honest gun owners, since criminals are unlikely to purchase ammunition in New Jersey because of the mandatory reporting of all ammunition sales as required by state law. This bill should be defeated or amended so as not to affect law-abiding citizens.

Also introduced by Senator Turner, S2934 would make honest gun owners responsible for the acts of criminals if they fail to “immediately�?report the theft or loss of a firearm that is later used in a crime. Styled as legislation requiring the reporting of stolen or lost firearms, the legislation would hold victims of theft responsible for the acts of criminals.

S2431, sponsored by State Senators John Girgenti (D-35) and Paul Sarlo (D-36), is an overly broad attempt to address gang violence that could have unintended consequences for honest gun owners. Among other things, it would criminalize and severely punish the mere possession of certain firearms, including registered handguns, even while engaged in lawful activities. As originally drafted, the bill puts law-abiding gun owners at risk of a potential 10-year prison sentence and a $150,000 fine.

These bills are now on their way to the Senate for its consideration. Please contact your State Senator today at (609) 292-4840 and respectfully urge him or her to protect the Second Amendment rights of New Jersey’s law-abiding gun owners by opposing S2470, S2934, and S2431.