Six New Gun Control Laws Signed Into Law by New Jersey Governor

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New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy signed a half-dozen new gun control laws on Wednesday, tightening the Garden State’s already tough gun statutes.

Murphy signed the new laws in Trenton surrounded by the Democratic legislative leaders who got the legislation passed after the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day that left 17 people dead.

Alfonso Calderon, a student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland was on stage with Murphy. Both of them said they hoped voters would go to the polls this fall to elect candidates who have expressed support for what they call “common sense gun legislation.”

“The majority of America’s youth knows we need this change to survive in our own schools,” Calderon said.

The new laws will:

Require a mental health professionals to warn law enforcement if a patient threatens serious violence against themselves or others
Allow for an extreme risk protective order if a court deems someone poses a significant danger to themselves or others. The temporary court order bars the subject from possessing or purchasing a firearm or ammunition.
Require background checks for private gun sales
Lower the magazine capacity from 15 rounds to 10, with an exception for a popular .22-caliber rifle.
Require residents to show a “justifiable need” to get a carry permit.
Prohibit body-armor-penetrating ammunition.

Gun control advocates quickly went on social media applaud the new laws:

New Jersey has just implemented 6 Gun Control Measures including:
—Background checks for private gun sales
—Lower magazine capacity to 10
—Residents must show “justifiable need” to get a carry permit
—No body-armor-penetrating ammunition
NJ Should be a Model for the Nation

Gun control critics, however, said that the new restrictions on gun ownership will not achieve their goals.

“None of the bills signed today will make anyone safer,” said Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs. Bach’s gun rights group filed a lawsuit to change the limit of 10 rounds, saying this restriction “would be ignored by criminals and madmen.”

Murphy came into office this year, succeeding unpopular Republican governor Chris Christie. He had campaigned on his promise to strengthen New Jersey’s gun laws. Current New Jersey statutes prohibit assault weapons, limit magazine clip size, and require concealed weapons permits.

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Leo Vidal

I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.