This bill, S 1517 ("Responsibility in Firearms Sales Act"), requires all firearm manufacturers operating in New Jersey to obtain an annual license from the State Police Superintendent. Manufacturers must pay a fee calculated based on their market share and adjusted annually using the consumer price index, with the total fee set to cover public health costs from firearm injuries. The collected fees will fund the RIFS Fund, which distributes money directly to firearm injury victims or their eligible relatives (including first-degree relatives, employers, or legal guardians). The bill aims to address public health impacts of firearm violence by holding manufacturers accountable for costs tied to injuries, as defined by the legislature's findings on rising injury rates and economic burdens.
This bill (S 2351) requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a background check reveals someone is prohibited from purchasing firearms or ammunition under state law. It applies directly to licensed firearm dealers, who must conduct background checks for all handgun and rifle/shotgun purchases. If the check shows a prohibited person (e.g., convicted of certain crimes or domestic violence), the State Police must inform the local chief law enforcement officer. The notification ensures local police are aware of potential risks when prohibited individuals attempt to buy firearms.
This bill creates a voluntary "Do Not Sell" registry managed by New Jersey's State Police. Residents can choose to register to be automatically blocked from purchasing firearms during background checks. The system verifies identities, protects privacy, notifies registered individuals' personal contacts about their status, and requires a 21-day waiting period before removing a name (with all records destroyed afterward). It does not change existing firearm prohibitions but adds a new voluntary option for residents to restrict their own access to firearms.
This bill (S 2873) restricts the disclosure and use of criminal records that have been legally expunged in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with expunged records, background check companies, and government licensing boards. Key provisions include: making it illegal to knowingly share expunged records (with fines up to $5,000 per violation), requiring background check companies to delete expunged records within 30 days of a request, and mandating that licensing boards redact expunged convictions from their records while keeping the fact of disciplinary action visible. The bill strengthens enforcement of expungement by adding civil penalties and clear procedures for correcting records.
This bill (S 2750) clarifies that New Jersey residents can voluntarily surrender ammunition to law enforcement agencies in the same manner as firearms, requiring written notice to the local chief of police or state police superintendent. It mandates that gun buyback programs authorized by the Attorney General or county prosecutors must accept both firearms and ammunition, and may offer rewards for surrendered items. The bill explicitly confirms that existing law permits these programs but removes ambiguity about ammunition surrender, making the process clearer for participants and law enforcement.
S 2903, "MarcAnthony's Law," creates new criminal penalties for using defaced or stolen firearms to harm police officers in New Jersey. It classifies causing serious injury as a first-degree crime and causing bodily injury as a second-degree crime. The law specifically defines "defacing" a firearm as removing or altering its maker's name, model, or serial number (excluding normal wear and tear), and prohibits convictions from merging with other charges for the same act. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals who use altered or stolen firearms against them. The legislation amends New Jersey's criminal code to strengthen penalties for this specific offense.
This bill raises New Jersey's minimum age for obtaining a firearms purchaser identification card from 18 to 21 years old. It directly affects 18- to 20-year-olds who would no longer be eligible to purchase firearms without a license under this law. The key change amends existing statute N.J.S.2C:58-3 to require applicants to be 21 or older for this permit, maintaining the current background check process for firearm transactions. The bill does not alter background check requirements or exceptions for immediate family, law enforcement, or collectors.
This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to launch a 90-day pilot program in the state's 10 municipalities with the highest violent crime rates (based on recent Uniform Crime Reports). Each participating local police department would receive a ballistics scanning device to immediately analyze cartridge cases at crime scenes and access instant crime scene analysis reports for investigations. After the pilot, each agency must submit a usage report with recommendations to the Attorney General, who then must recommend to the Governor and Legislature whether to make the program permanent with annual funding. The law aims to evaluate if these devices improve firearm-related crime investigations in high-crime areas.
S 1704 (Establishes priority for certain firearm-related background checks when applicant has obtained domestic violence restraining order) amends New Jersey's firearm background check laws to prioritize background checks for applicants with active domestic violence restraining orders (DVOs). The bill requires that background checks involving applicants subject to a DVO be processed with higher priority by the state police system. This directly affects firearm purchasers who have obtained a DVO against them, ensuring their background check is expedited. The change modifies the existing background check procedures under N.J.S.2C:58-3 and N.J.S.2C:58-4 to address domestic violence safety concerns.
S 3060 establishes a three-year Gun Court Pilot Program in Passaic County's Superior Court. The program will handle criminal cases where a gun or dangerous weapon was used in violent crimes, with judges required to have specialized expertise in criminal law and sentencing. The Administrative Office of the Courts will administer the program, monitor its impact on sentencing and court workload, and report to the legislature after 12 months and at program end. If successful, the program could be expanded statewide. The bill does not change sentencing laws but creates a specialized court structure for gun-violence cases.
