Local Lawmaker's Gun Bill Amendment Rejected

Lawmakers voted down a local representative's legislative amendment involving owning certain capacity gun magazines.

Republican Assemblyman Kevin Rooney took exception to a bill (A2761) that would ban firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, and holds all those liable who do not surrender that gun within 180 days.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee amended the bill Thursday to allow legal gun owners to keep previously purchased 15-round, fixed-capacity magazines that are registered with law enforcement.

Rooney's amendment was voted down along party lines 49 to 26. The bill passed 48 to 25 with three abstentions.

“I have heard people say today that we need to be more reasonable in our gun approach. This bill goes way beyond that. It's not reasonable. This bill does not accomplish what we are trying to achieve,” Rooney said. "It doesn’t allow the majority of gun owners’ guns to be altered to conform to this new legislation."

Rooney spoke on the legislative floor that New Jersey has 12,000 registered gun owners.

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