Criminal Justice (Firearms)

This New Jersey bill (S 1800) requires firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. The disclosure informs customers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or the State Police, and warns that buying a firearm to illegally resell it to disqualified individuals is unlawful. Retailers must have customers sign and keep copies of this disclosure for 15 years, and prominently post the same notice at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, with collected fines directed to gun violence prevention efforts.

This bill requires New Jersey courts to notify local law enforcement and the Attorney General before expunging certain mental health records related to firearm eligibility. Specifically, when a person seeks to erase records that affect their ability to purchase a firearm under federal or state law, the court must serve copies of the expungement order on the county prosecutor, local police chief, and the Attorney General. This applies to records previously filed under mental health commitment or disability determinations that impact firearm background checks. The change ensures law enforcement is informed before such records are removed, aligning with federal background check requirements under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act and Brady Act.

This bill requires all legal firearm owners in New Jersey to store unloaded guns in locked safes or containers and ammunition separately in locked containers. First-time violations mandate 10-40 hours of community service with approved gun violence prevention organizations, while repeat violations or incidents where improperly stored firearms cause injury/death escalate to criminal charges. The bill repeals prior laws about minors accessing firearms, appropriates $500,000 for an Attorney General-led public awareness campaign, and mandates retailers to provide written warnings and display signage about storage requirements. It directly affects firearm owners storing guns at their homes or premises.

This bill (S 2309) amends New Jersey's existing assault weapons ban by updating definitions in state law (N.J.S.2C:39-1). It clarifies terms like "firearm," "destructive device," and "assault weapon" through detailed definitions, including restrictions on features like barrel length and magazine capacity. The bill directly affects firearm owners, dealers, and law enforcement by defining prohibited weapons under current law. As introduced (Jan. 13, 2026), it focuses on refining legal language rather than adding new prohibitions, with no specific new restrictions detailed in the provided text. The bill is pending review by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.