Chris Christie Signs Some Gun Control Measures Into Law

Gov. Chris Christie signed 10 gun-related bills into law Thursday, including a measure disqualifying people on the federal terrorist watch list from being able to buy guns.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

In a statement accompanying his signature, the Republican governor said he signed the measure because federal authorities take care to ensure the list's accuracy. Some conservatives expressed concern that citizens will be put on the watch list mistakenly.

"I believe that federal elected officials must continue to ensure that federal law enforcement and intelligence gathering entities constantly strive to improve the levels of accuracy and reliability in terrorist screening databases," Christie wrote. "I urge Congress to take steps to ensure that law-abiding American citizens are never swept into these databases."

Another bill requires that certain mental health records be sent to the instant background check system, while a third increases penalties for certain gun-trafficking crimes.

Christie said the measures will strengthen the state's already tough gun laws and help keep communities safe.

Gun control advocate Bryan Miller said that the new laws are a step in the right direction, but that more needs to be done. He urged Christie to sign other gun-control bills on his desk, like one banning sales of .50-caliber rifles and another modernizing the state's gun buying system.

He said the bill preserves Second Amendment rights, while requiring gun buyers and owners to undergo firearms safety training.

"This bill has provisions that will make it far less likely that any New Jersey family will suffer the devastating loss of a child due to careless gun storage, as happened recently in Toms River," he said, referring to the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old by a 4-year-old neighbor who had access to unsecured guns at home.

Bill Breakdown

Governor Christie signed the following bills into law on Thursday. (Source: NorthJersey,com)

A-3687: Prohibits people on the federal terror watch list from buying a gun
A-3717: Requires that New Jersey send certain mental-health records to the federal background check system
A-3788: Eliminates public’s right to access firearms records under the state’s Open Public Records Act
A-3796: Provides a 180-day amnesty period for people to turn in illegal weapons
S-1279: Increases penalty for transferring a firearm to an underage person
S-2430: Declares violence a public health crisis and establishes a “Study Commission on Violence”
S-2468: Allows police to impound vehicles used in gun trafficking
S-2719: Increases criminal penalties for gun trafficking
S-2720: Clarifies that the total number of firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase a handgun in a municipality are public records
S-2804: Increases criminal penalties for unlawful weapons possession
Christie vetoed one bill in June:
A-3668: Prohibits the state from investing in companies that manufacture assault weapons for civilian use

These bills remain on Christie’s desk:

A-3659: Bans sales of .50-caliber firearms
A-3797: Requires firearms trafficking statistics be included in annual Uniform Crime Report
S-2715: Creates pamphlets telling parents how to limit their children’s exposure to media violence
S-2723: Democrats’ “centerpiece” bill, alters the way New Jersey issues ID cards for prospective gun buyers and requires buyers to complete a safety course - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Christie_signs_gun_control_bills.html#sthash.GeZQbh6N.dpuf

Categories: New Jersey News