Christie Vetoes Gun Bill Banning Criminals Convicted Of Carjacking, Gangs And More

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have prohibited people convicted of carjacking, gang involvement, racketeering or terroristic threats from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling a firearm.

The bill, A-4182, would have toughened current law that disqualifies a person who has been convicted of certain serious crimes from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling firearms.

That bill had passed 37-0 in the Senate and 68-0, with eight abstaining, in the Assembly.

The vetoed bill provides that a person who has been convicted of carjacking, gang criminality, racketeering, or terroristic threats, and who purchases, owns, possesses or controls a firearm is also guilty of a crime of the second degree.

Currently, state law prohibits people convicted of the following charges from owning a gun: aggravated assault; arson; burglary; escape; extortion; homicide; kidnapping; robbery; aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; bias intimidation; endangering the welfare of a child; stalking; a crime involving domestic violence; certain crimes concerning weapons; and certain crimes related to controlled dangerous substances.

Under current law, a person who has been convicted of any of these offenses and who purchases, owns, possesses, or controls a firearm is guilty of a crime of the second degree. A second degree crime is punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both.

Democratic Assemblyman Tim Eustace called Christie’s “failure to act is incomprehensible,” and accused him of boosting his presidential campaign at the expense of N.J. citizens.

“Gov. Christie likes to spout platitudes about public safety,” Eustace said in a statement. “But his failure to act on a no-brainer bill supported by Democrats and Republicans alike calls into question his ability to lead and even think clearly.”

Eustace said gun-rights groups “don’t even support giving such people guns. The governor’s failure is scary and inexplicable. Gov. Christie has put the people of New Jersey in danger.”