Bergen Legislator's Bill Protecting Domestic Violence Victims From Gun Violence Goes To Govenor

TEANECK, N.J. — Legislation designed to better protect domestic violence victims from gun violence received final legislative approval by the state Assembly Monday.

The legislation now goes to Governor Chris Christie, who may sign or veto it. The law closes a loophole that, according to Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), the bill's sponsor, "leaves victims vulnerable to gun violence."

The legislation would require every person convicted of a domestic violence offense, or those who are bound by a domestic violence restraining order, to turn in their firearms, handgun purchase permits, and firearms purchaser identification cards. Authorities would also be notified of any such revocation.

“Statistics show that a woman is five times more likely to be murdered by her intimate partner if there is a gun in the home than if there is not," Weinberg said in a statement. "It is already illegal for someone subject to a domestic violence restraining order or a convicted offender to possess a firearm. "This bipartisan bill will address the deficiencies in the law by putting in place a mechanism to take guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers. This will substantially strengthen enforcement of our current laws and create better protections for our residents.”

Defendants would be required to attest that they surrenders or do not possess a firearm and courts would be empowered to search for firearms that someone failed to surrender, should probable cause be found for such a search to occur. The legislation also give plaintiffs the right to provide information concerning firearms the a defendant has access to and their location.

The bill would provide mandatory minimum prison terms, with set periods of parole ineligibility, for offenders who commit physically violent acts against others.

"Taken together, these provisions will reduce the likelihood that a domestic violence situation will turn tragic," Weinberg said.

The Senate approved the legislation 32-0 and the Assembly 60-2, with nine abstentions. The law would take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following Christie approving it.

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo: State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) — Courtesy of New Jersey Democrats