Montclair Developer Won’t Let Newark Tenants Own Guns: NJ2AS

NEWARK, NJ — A real estate company that owns thousands of units in Essex, Hudson, Atlantic and Mercer counties is allegedly trying to create a “firearm-free building” in New Jersey’s largest city. And they’re willing to start evicting tenants who won’t comply, according to a state gun rights group.

On Wednesday, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society (NJ2AS) posted a blog about the alleged gun ban at Richardson Lofts, a multi-story apartment building at 50 Columbia Street in Newark’s downtown area.

According to the NJ2AS, the building’s owner, Montclair-based RPM Development Group, is allegedly “prohibiting their tenants from owning firearms.”

The nonprofit shared a flyer allegedly posted at the Newark building which read:

“NOTICE TO ALL TENANTS: Effective as of May 1, 2018, this building will be a firearm-free building. No one will be permitted to store or carry a gun or rifle, or any other type of firearm of any kind in the building or on the grounds. If it is discovered that you do have a firearm of any kind on this property, you will receive a Notice to Cease, followed by a Notice to Vacate. Please be guided accordingly.”

An attorney for RPM didn’t return multiple phone calls from Patch seeking comment about the alleged gun ban. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

• See related article: Montclair School Cancels Democrat's Gun Speech; 'Sad' Win For GOP

The NJ2AS said that the ban represents a new low for “anti-gun bigots.”

“While Mom’s Demand Action claims that ‘nobody wants to take your guns away,’ one common theme keeps happening: our guns are being taken away either by usurpation or now by being barred from having them in our rental apartments,” the group stated. “Despite the fact that the Supreme Court's Heller decision states that we have a constitutional right to own and bear firearms in our homes, RPM Development Group believes they are immune.”

The NJ2AS said that their attorneys are “aware of the situation” and are “working to have this policy removed to prevent legal action.”

Sources “familiar with the Newark apartment building” told NJ Advance Media the policy notice was authentic.

According to RPM’s website, the company owns properties in Newark, Orange, Pleasantville, Jersey City, Somerset, Trenton, Atlantic City, West Orange, Bloomfield and East Orange.

The company’s website states:

“RPM is one of the leading developers of affordable housing in New Jersey. Our company has developed residential communities that are home to thousands of New Jerseyans and represent hundreds of millions of dollars in community investment across the state. Our work has included new construction on underutilized land, the adaptive reuse of industrial properties, the restoration of historic buildings, and multi-phase initiatives to increase affordable housing options in urban and suburban communities.”

The company has been recognized with awards that include:

• NJDEP Governor's Environmental Excellence Award for Innovative Technology
• Smart Growth Award, NJ Future
• Governor's Award for Excellence in Housing for Leading Mixed-Income Development
• Newark Preservation and Landmarks Commission Donald T. Dust Award
• Grand Jury Award by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
• NJ DEP's Historic Preservation Award
• Charles L. Edison Tax Credit Excellence Award

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