Christie takes big loss on gun control: Senate overrides veto for first time

History was made at the State House Thursday afternoon: Senate Democrats overrode a Gov. Chris Chrstie veto, battling back against his rejection of a gun control measure aimed at keeping firearms away from those with histories of mental illness.

The Senate Democrats have never overrode one of Christie's vetoes before — and did so by getting three Republicans to agree. But the fight isn't over. The Assembly would also need to override the veto, and for that to happen, six Republicans to would have to defy Christie in the People's House.

The bill, S-2360, would require law enforcement to be notified and consulted when someone tries to expunge his or her mental health records so he or she could buy a gun.

“I’m asking all the people of this house to just stand strong on their original vote and vote ‘yes,’ and do the right thing and stand on your ideals to protect the people that could potentially get harmed,” said bill co-sponsor State Sen. Fred Madden (D-Turnersville).

The legislation passed both houses of the legislature unanimously. Thursday, all 24 Democratic Senators supported the override, joined by Republican Senators Chris Conners (R-Forked River) Joe Kyrillos (R-Middletown) and Kip Bateman (R-Somerville).

“I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I didn’t do what I think is right today, so I’m encouraging my colleagues to vote ‘yes,’ to override,” said Bateman.

When the override attempt was first tried in September, State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red bank) supported it, but Thursday she said it would do nothing to stop people without mental illness records from getting guns and going on shooting rampages. State Sen. President Steve Sweeney (D-Thorofare) was visibly angry as Beck argued her point.

To no avail, State Sen. GOP Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield) urged his colleagues to back his new bill, which would make it easier to involuntarily commit people with mental illness.

“It’s always a good day for New Jersey when elected officials put aside politics and do the right thing for the people. That’s what happened in the Senate, and I look forward to it happening soon in the Assembly,” wrote Assembly Speaker Vinnie Prieto (D-Secaucus) in an emailed statement.

In conditionally vetoing the original bill, the governor said he did not want to take a piecemeal approach to gun violence and mental illness.

"The comprehensive reforms needed to truly address the gaps in our mental health system which directly affect public safety have sat untouched in the Legislature for years," Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said Thursday." This remains true today as the Legislature acts on a half measure.  Gov. Christie is committed to a comprehensive approach and he will continue to work with legislators of both parties to pass real mental health reforms which truly improve public safety."

Kevin McArdle has covered the State House for New Jersey 101.5 news since 2002. Contact him at kevin.mcardle@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @kevinmcardle1.