Guns Banned From All Camden County Property, New Resolution States

CAMDEN, NJ — Commissioners have passed a resolution banning anyone from carrying a firearm, whether concealed or not, in "sensitive areas" within Camden County.

This includes county-owned buildings, parks and recreational facilities, polling places, and vehicles owned or operated by or on behalf of the county. It also includes places where county-sponsored or -operated events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting events take place, the resolution says.

The firearms restriction does not apply to law enforcement, the board of commissioners said in a news release.

Commissioners passed the resolution Dec. 15 in an effort to protect citizens from gun violence, the county said.

Camden County commissioners have been working on this resolution since a June Supreme Court decision overturned a New York State law that limits people from carrying concealed handguns, the county said. The 6-3 decision, with an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, ruled that NY restrictions violate the Second Amendment.

There has been "a dramatic rise" in the number of Camden County residents seeking public carry permit applications since then, commissioners said. Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said protecting people who live, work, and visit the county from gun violence is a top priority for the Board of Commissioners.

“Gun violence in this country has gotten out of hand and the Supreme Court’s ruling has only enabled more people to lose their lives to these senseless and preventable crimes," he said in a news release. "We are taking a stand here in Camden County and we won’t allow these dangerous weapons to seep into places where they don’t belong.”

The following locations in Camden County are designated sensitive areas, according to the resolution:

1. All buildings, or portions thereof, owned or under the control of county government for the purpose of government administration, whether open to the public or not.
2. Any courthouse or building containing judicial functions of the state or county.
3. Any place or building, or portion thereof, which is the location of any program or service operated or funded by the county.
4. All recreational facilities and parks owned or operated by the county.
5. Any vehicle owned or operated by or on behalf of the county while used for public transportation or in connection with a program or service funded by the county.
6. Any polling place or location while operating for purposes of voting or conducting an election, including places used for the storage or tabulation of ballots.
7. Any venue or grounds used for the performance of arts and entertainment, including festivals, concerts, exhibits, sporting events, and organized recreational activities, which is sponsored or operated by the county.

“Our communities deserve to feel safe, and they deserve not to have to worry about gun violence while going about their daily lives,” Cappelli continued.

Read the full resolution below:

A bill in the New Jersey legislature would add more requirements for those looking to get a concealed-carry permit, as well as criminalize carrying a gun in "sensitive places" such as courthouses, schools and universities, parks and recreation spaces, nursing homes, bars, and certain forms of transportation and infrastructure.

The state Assembly passed the proposal on Nov. 21 with 43 "yes" votes and 29 "no" votes. Seven Assemblymembers did not cast a vote, and one abstained.

People in New Jersey still need a permit to carry a handgun. But the high court's June 23 decision on New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen overturned state laws that allowed government agencies to issue concealed-carry permits only if someone demonstrates a "justifiable need." Related article: 'Toughest In The Nation' Gun Measure Could Tighten NJ Concealed Carry