16 NJ Gun Bills That Could Impact State After Texas Mass Shooting

NEW JERSEY — In the wake of Monday's mass shooting in a Texas elementary school, Gov. Phil Murphy renewed calls for state lawmakers to pass legislation designed to reduce gun violence. But many bills addressing the issue remain stalled in the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly, despite Democratic majorities in both chambers.

Murphy unveiled a package of proposals in April 2021 meant to reduce gun violence in New Jersey. The proposals include requirements for firearms-safety training, raising the minimum age for the purchase of long guns from 18 to 21, mandating safe firearm storage and establishing detailed, electronic recordkeeping of ammunition sales.

The governor renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the package in the wake of recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas.

"I introduced the comprehensive Gun Safety 3.0 package over a year ago and this moment demands that the Legislature finally take action," Murphy said Wednesday. "These proposed laws are hardly revolutionary."

The package never passed in New Jersey's last legislative session. Critics have said the bills largely target law-abiding gun owners and wouldn't curb violent crime or stem the illegal transport of guns from other states.

But since the 2022-23 legislative term began Jan. 11, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced several bills designed to reduce gun violence.

Here's the status of 16 bills in the state legislature on the matter:

1. Increasing the minimum age of firearm-purchase ID from 18 to 21.

Identical bills in the Assembly and Senate — both introduced on the first day of the legislative session — remain stalled in committees.

2. Regulating the sale of handgun ammunition and developing a system for electronic reporting of firearm info.

The Assembly bill, introduced Jan. 11, remains within the Judiciary Committee.

3. Banning weapons of .50 caliber or greater.

The Senate bill would revise the state's definition of "destructive devices" to include such weapons and ammunition, except those the state deems suitable for sporting purposes. The bill has been in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee since its Feb. 10 introduction.

4. Disqualifying people on federal terror watchlists from getting a firearms-ID card or permit to purchase a handgun.

Assembly Member Sean T. Kean (R-30) has sponsored a bill on the matter in every two-year legislative session since 2012-13. The bills have never made it out of committees, and the current bill on the matter remains in the hands of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.

5. Amending the state's public-nuisance laws, allowing the attorney general to obtain an injunction against gun-industry members who "knowingly or recklessly endanger the public health and safety."

Identical bills in the Assembly and Senate haven't made it out of their respective committees.

6. Providing that firearms-purchase ID cards are valid for four years and require training before issuance.

Identical Assembly and Senate bills were referred to legislative committees May 12.

7. Requiring the chief law enforcement officer or State Police superintendent to notify federal immigration authorities when a non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit.

The Assembly bill, which has four Republican sponsors, hasn't left the Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

8. Mandating that certain public venues and places of worship submit emergency plans to law enforcement for preparing for mass-casualty or active-shooter events.

The Senate bill — sponsored by three Democrats — is up for a second reading. The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee voted 5-0 Thursday to advance the bill, which would include sports and entertainment venues that seat more than 5,000, movie theaters that can seat more than 1,000 and houses of worship with more than 500 seats.

9. Requiring that gun owners who become New Jersey residents get a firearm-purchase ID card and register guns acquired out-of-state.

The Assembly bill has remained in the Judiciary Committee's hands since Jan. 11, while the Senate bill has been with the Law and Public Safety Committee since Feb. 3.

10. Prohibiting state investment into pension and annuity funds of companies manufacturing, importing and selling assault firearms for civilian use.

Identical bills have remained within legislative committees for several months.

11. Requiring firearm owners who become New Jersey residents to obtain a firearm-purchaser ID.

The bill — sponsored by Assembly Members Christopher P. Tully and Lisa Swain (both D-38) — has remained with the Judiciary Committee since Jan. 11.

12. Mandates the seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to a domestic-violence restraining order or conviction.

Identical Assembly and Senate bills have remained within legislative committees since Jan. 11 and Feb. 28, respectively.

13. Appropriating an additional $2 million to fund the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University.

Identical bills remain stalled in committees.

14. Requires police performing mental-health checks to check whether there's a gun on the premises.

Assembly Member Gabriela M. Mosquera's (D-4) bill has stayed within the Law and Public Safety Committee since Feb. 14.

15. Allows houses of worship to select one person to carry a handgun during religious services.

Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Ronald S. Dancer (R-12) and State Senator Michael J. Doherty (R-23) introduced identical bills March 8 and Jan. 11, respectively. They remain within legislative committees.

16. Gives priority to applications for firearms-purchaser ID and permits to purchase handguns when a domestic-violence restraining order is in effect.

Identical bills with Republican co-sponsors haven't made it out of committees.