This bill prohibits prosecutors from offering negotiated plea agreements that reduce prison time or fines for burglary convictions when a firearm was involved. It directly affects defendants charged with burglary who used a firearm during the crime, requiring them to face the full second-degree penalty rather than a reduced sentence through plea bargaining. The law amends New Jersey's burglary statute to specify that such plea agreements are ineligible if the defendant was "armed with or displays what appears to be explosives or a deadly weapon" during the offense. The bill defines "firearm" broadly to include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and certain air guns, but does not change the underlying burglary charges or penalties.
S 3542 establishes a three-year Gun Court Pilot Program in Mercer County's Superior Court to handle cases where guns or dangerous weapons were used in violent crimes. The program would assign specialized judges with expertise in criminal law and sentencing for violent offenses, and refer eligible cases to this dedicated court. The Administrative Office of the Courts would administer the program and monitor its impact on sentencing, court workload, and effectiveness, reporting to the Legislature 12 months after launch and six months after the pilot ends. The program is limited to Mercer County and requires a recommendation for potential expansion to other counties after evaluation.
This bill requires New Jersey county prosecutors to collect and report specific data about firearm-related incidents where no one suffered bodily injury. Prosecutors must provide details like incident location, date, charges filed, and whether the firearm use was lawful, regardless of case outcome. They must submit this data quarterly for three years to the Attorney General, who will compile and publish a public report online after the reporting period ends. The bill directly affects county prosecutors and the Attorney General’s office, focusing on gathering standardized data on non-injury firearm incidents.
This bill (S 3232) amends New Jersey law by upgrading the crime of transporting firearms into the state for unlawful sale or transfer from a second-degree to a first-degree offense under N.J.S.2C:39-9(i). It directly affects individuals who knowingly bring firearms into New Jersey with the intent to illegally sell, transfer, or dispose of them. The key change increases the severity of punishment for this specific act, moving it from a second-degree crime (currently punishable by 5-10 years in prison) to a first-degree crime (10-20 years). This amendment targets the transportation phase of illegal firearm sales, not manufacturing or other firearm-related offenses.
This bill (S 1357) raises New Jersey’s minor age threshold for firearm access from 16 to 18, prohibiting firearm owners from leaving loaded guns within easy reach of minors under 18 at their premises. It requires owners to securely store firearms - using locked containers, secure locations, or trigger locks - to avoid a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) if a minor accesses the weapon. Law enforcement officers observing unsecured firearms must return to verify proper storage. The law applies to all firearm owners with minors under 18 on their property, excluding lawful minor firearm use under existing law. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
S 2380 removes a requirement that certain special law enforcement officers (specifically Class Two and Class Three officers meeting residency, hours worked, and training criteria) turn in their firearms at the end of each shift. Instead, these officers may carry permitted firearms off-duty if they have completed required training (280 hours of instruction plus annual qualification) and hold a permit from their chief of police or county sheriff. The bill maintains that officers must use only locally supplied firearms during shifts and retain permits on their person when carrying weapons off-duty. This change directly affects special officers employed full-time by municipalities over 300,000 population who meet the training and permit conditions. The policy modifies existing firearm-handling rules without altering officer duties or supervision requirements.
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.
S 2863 (now withdrawn) established new criminal penalties for recklessly discharging a firearm with live ammunition. It creates a misdemeanor for a first offense, a fourth-degree crime for a second offense, and a third-degree crime for a third or subsequent offense. The bill increases penalties if the discharge occurs within 100 yards of schools, occupied buildings, or child care facilities. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into another law (P.L.2025, c.364), meaning it did not become effective.
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.
