In Governor Phil Murphy’s latest assault on gun rights in one of America’s most restrictive states, New Jersey is rushing to push through a dozen new gun control measures. Fresh off an unexpectedly close call at the polls, Murphy now wants to . . .
- Set aside $10 million in the current budget to fund gun violence intervention programs
- Require gun permit applicants to first pass as safety course
- Mandate that all guns not in use be kept in a lockbox or gun safe
- Increase the purchasing age for a firearm to 21, from 18
- Mandate microstamping technology so that fired rounds can be traced
- Require ammunition sales to be tracked electronically
- Ban .50-caliber weapons
- Close what Murphy called a loophole that allows those moving to the state to not have to meet New Jersey’s requirements to get a gun
- Make it easier to hold gun manufacturers liable for violence stemming from the use of firearms
- Direct the state Education Department to overhaul active shooter drills to minimize the stress on students
- Hold a gun safety summit among governors
- Convene a gun safety commission within the state
Among the list of new restrictions, the “New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act” would require that Jerseyites “store or secure a firearm that is not in use,” and “store ammunition, SEPARATELY, in a securely locked box,” when they are in your home.
S3757 and the state assembly version of the bill, A5647, would ensure that criminals are the only people in the Garden State with easy access to their guns. In a nutshell, your home protection firearm will need to stay locked up when “not in use.”
Those three words — “not in use” — leave a lot open to interpretation and potentially make law-abiding citizens criminals in their own homes.
The scenario would go something like this. As a home invader kicks down your door, you need to unlock one box to access your gun and then a second box for your ammunition. If it then isn’t too late, you’ll then be ready to protect yourself and your family.
In short, if Governor Murphy and New Jersey’s legislature get their way, they’ll make it easier for an intruder to have a loaded gun in your home than it will be for you.
Governor Phil Murphy has stated he will sign the legislation which could be voted on as soon as Monday. You don’t have much time to voice your opposition.
