TRENTON – On Nov. 21, the full Assembly advanced historic legislation that further solidifies New Jersey as the national leader on commonsense gun safety laws.
The bill (A-4769), sponsored by Assembly Democrats, will keep New Jersey families and communities safe by requiring more comprehensive background checks before a permit is issued; prohibiting permit holders from carrying handguns in sensitive public areas such as government buildings, sporting arenas, schools and daycare centers; and establishing insurance and training requirements to protect permit holders as well as the public.
“Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down over a century of commonsense gun safety laws,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “While I strongly disagree with that decision, our action today shows New Jersey is leading with responsible action to keep our families and neighborhoods safe from gun violence.”
“I am a gun owner, collector, hunter, and Army veteran,” said Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset), the prime sponsor of the legislation in the Assembly. “That’s why I understand it is entirely possible to promote safe communities while preserving Second Amendment rights. I am particularly proud that every major law enforcement member organization in the state has endorsed this legislation and thank them for their partnership in this process.”
The legislation has received support from the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, the Association of Former New Jersey State Troopers, and the New Jersey State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association.
“We continue to deliver on our promise to protect our children and the community by empowering law enforcement with common sense gun safety laws that also affirm our constitutional commitment to responsible gun ownership,” said Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington), a prime sponsor of the bill. “This legislation, made necessary by a recent Supreme Court ruling, ensures New Jersey maintains one of the lowest gun death rates in the nation and continues to be one of the safest to live, work, and raise a family.”
“We as a nation have witnessed too many acts of gun violence, more than 500 mass shootings this year alone. It’s imperative that we do everything within our power to keep guns out of the wrong hands,” said Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris), a prime sponsor of the bill. “This legislation sets reasonable requirements on concealed carry in the state.”
“Responsible concealed carry laws have been in full force and effect in New Jersey for decades,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex, Morris), a prime sponsor of the bill. “This legislation restores responsible and reasonable safeguards that will protect our communities, our schools, houses of worship, and other public places.”
“As a member of the AAPI community, a community that has seen a stark rise in hate and bigoted violence, I am proud to be a part of this nationally recognized gun violence prevention bill,” said Assemblywoman Ellen J. Park (D-Bergen), a prime sponsor of the bill. “This is the right thing to do because it aligns with the values held by the overwhelming majority of New Jerseyans. It’s the right thing to do because protecting our citizens is our moral obligation as public officials. And it’s the right thing to do because in the absence of a functioning federal government, it is important to show the country that New Jersey is here to lead.”
Advocates and leading law enforcement representatives issued the following statements in support of the bill’s passage:
“Today the NJ Assembly will respond to the extreme and dangerous Supreme Court decision by passing a critical gun safety law that will protect New Jersey communities. More guns in public places will increase the risks to New Jerseyans and we are thankful for leaders with the courage to take action that will protect us from senseless gun violence. We applaud Assemblymen Danielsen and McKeon, Speaker Coughlin, and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald for their leadership and urge the Senate to act swiftly as well.” – Nico Bocour, Government Affairs Director, Giffords
“There are some places where guns simply don’t belong – places like playgrounds and bars and restaurants that serve alcohol,” said Shani Nuckols, a volunteer with the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We can easily imagine how much worse the 2018 Art All Night shooting in Trenton could have been if more civilians in the large crowd that night were carrying firearms and started shooting. We applaud the diligent work of the Assembly for taking action to make us safer. It is now up to the Senate to follow suit, and we will continue to be a partner with the Legislature to fight for common sense gun safety laws to ensure that our communities are protected.”
Having advanced from the full Assembly, 42-29-1, the bill now awaits further action in the Senate.
