General Assembly Advances Gun Safety Bills That Will Protect New Jersey Communities

Legislation would ensure New Jersey’s gun safety laws remain among the strongest in the nation

A package of bills sponsored by Assembly Democrats seeking to improve firearm safety and address illegal firearm activity passed the General Assembly yesterday. The legislation would strengthen New Jersey's gun control measures, enhance law enforcement training, and establish new procurement and reporting practices to safeguard New Jersey communities.

“New Jersey is known for having among the strongest, most comprehensive common sense gun laws in the nation because our Legislature has committed itself to ensuring the safety and well-being of every New Jerseyan, both inside and outside their homes,” said Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-Bergen), Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. “As advancements in technology make firearms more accessible and more dangerous, it is imperative that we reassess and update our laws to reflect these changes. This ensures that we honor the principles of the Second Amendment while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our communities.”

Gun safety advocates reacted to the passage of the legislative package:

“The New Jersey Legislature and Administration have led the nation on gun violence prevention over the past decade, passing over two dozen comprehensive safety laws and implementing evidence-based solutions,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady United. “The data is clear—this leadership has made a difference, giving New Jersey one of the lowest gun death rates in America and creating a model for other states to follow. The bills passed today confront critical threats and take a comprehensive approach to strengthening commitment, preventing gun violence.”

“The New Jersey Assembly is taking a crucial step forward in creating a safer future for families in the state,” said David Pucino, Legal Director and Deputy Chief Counsel at GIFFORDS Law Center. “New Jersey has emerged as a national leader in the fight against gun violence with three major legislative packages. The latest package of bills will help address any remaining gaps. We applaud New Jersey for making progress today that will undoubtedly save lives in the future.”

“Addressing our gun violence crisis requires that we swiftly and consistently take action to save lives and address new threats to our safety – and that’s what we’re doing here in New Jersey,” said Benedicte Callan, a volunteer with the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action. “After today’s progress, we are one step closer to having these lifesaving laws enacted and we’re grateful to the leadership of our gun sense champions in the Assembly for getting them across this first hurdle. Now we’re focusing on getting them through the Senate and onto Governor Murphy’s desk where they can be signed into law.”

“Students like me have grown up knowing nothing but our gun violence crisis. If we’re ever going to have a future without this fear and tragedy, it requires we take action now,” said Aryana Tasharofi, a volunteer leader with the Union County Students Demand Action group. “These measures are going to give young people, adults, local leaders, law enforcement—all of us—the resources we need to continue working towards that safer future. We’re committed to seeing them enacted so that they can be utilized in our communities.”

Bills advanced yesterday include:

A1389 (Haider/Park) would require the seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to a domestic violence restraining order or conviction.

A4974 (Greenwald/Reynolds-Jackson/Swain) would establish criminal penalties for the sale and possession of machine gun conversion devices, addressing the growing threat of these illegal devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms.

A4975 (Park/Karabinchak/Carter) would establish the crime of possessing digital instructions that illegally guide the manufacture of firearms or firearm components, targeting the proliferation of unregulated firearms.

A4976 (Moen/Sampson/Sumter) would establish the crime of reckless discharge of firearm, enhancing public safety by addressing irresponsible gun use.

A4978 (Hall/Donlon/Atkins) would require the Attorney General to report data regarding shootings that did not result in bodily injury, providing valuable insight into firearm-related incidents.

A4981 (Peterpaul/Spearman/Bagolie) would allow courts additional time to consider pretrial release or pretrial detention when a firearm offense is involved, ensuring that firearm-related charges receive the appropriate legal attention.

A5323 (Hall/Singh/Venezia) would require the New Jersey State Police to inform local law enforcement when certain prohibited individuals attempt to purchase firearms or ammunition, enhancing communication and preventing dangerous individuals from acquiring weapons.

A5345 (Atkins/Carter) would require the use of merchant category codes (MCC) for purchases of firearms and ammunition, creating a more effective way to track such transactions and detect suspicious activity.

A5346 (Park/Abdelaziz/Carter) known as the “Firearm and Ammunition Procurement Act,” would establish state procurement practices for firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.

Advocates came to Trenton in February to show their support for the bills passed during yesterday’s voting session.