Governor Corzine Signs One-Gun-A-Month Handgun Legislation

New Jersey fourth state to initiate purchase limitation

TRENTON – In a move to prevent “straw” gun purchases and curtail the number of weapons in the hands of criminals, Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed aggressive firearm legislation limiting the sale and purchase of handguns in New Jersey.  The bill, A-339 / S-1774, sets a “one-gun-a-month” limitation on the purchase of handguns to one sales transaction per individual in a 30-day period.

 “Violent crime and the proliferation of handguns is an epidemic being fought in every state in our nation,” Governor Corzine said.  “While we are winning some important battles against violent crime, we must remain aggressive in combating illegal possession, use and trafficking of firearms in New Jersey. The bill that I am signing into law is aimed at cutting off the supply of weapons to career criminals and protecting the rights of our law-abiding citizens.”
 
New Jersey now joins California, Maryland and Virginia, as the only states that currently limit the number of handguns that may be purchased at one time within a certain calendar period.

Under the New Jersey legislation, licensed retail firearms dealers are prohibited from selling more than one handgun within a calendar-month period to a person with a handgun purchase permit. A buyer or seller who violates the “one-gun-a-month” statute would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

“This is not about penalizing law abiding gun owners.  It’s about stemming the flow of illegal guns on our streets, keeping them out of the hands of gang members and drug dealers, and protecting innocent children and families,” said Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex).

Primary sponsors of A-339 / S-1774 are Senators Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson) and M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex, Union) and Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-Bergen, Hudson).

 

"Regularly in the news we hear stories of violent crimes committed by people who have obtained handguns illegally," said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. "It's alarming to report that most of the deadly gunfire comes from unlicensed owners, carrying unregistered weapons. Through the enactment of this new law, we will send a clear message to criminals that we will not allow illegal gun use to run our streets."

“This legislation is about reducing gun violence and saving lives,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union.  “The effects of illegal gun violence and the wounds it causes are far-reaching in that they not only touch victims, but also families and communities as a whole.  This law is a significant step in the right direction toward reducing the number of illegal, unlicensed guns on the streets and increasing safety for the people of this State.”

“There’s no good reason why anyone would need to purchase large quantities of handguns all at once,” said Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Hudson).  “Providing criminals and gang leaders one-stop shopping to outfit themselves with weapons is the obvious implication of bulk handgun purchasing. It defies logic to think anyone would need to purchase two, five, or 20 handguns in a short period of time. Restricting handgun purchases to one a month will help control the spread of guns that wind up on the street and in the hands of criminals.”

Earlier this week, Governor Corzine and Attorney General Anne Milgram announced  a dramatic decline in homicides in  New Jersey due in part to a statewide violence reduction initiative that has resulted in more than 4,200 arrests over a 14-month time period.

In July, Governor Corzine supported the defeat of legislation in the United States Senate that would have permitted gun owners with concealed-carry permits issued by states with lax laws to carry concealed firearms in other states with much stricter laws.  New Jersey has among the strictest concealed-carry laws in the nation.

In addition, Governor Corzine and Attorney General Anne Milgram announced last month the outcome of a joint investigative team of State Police detectives and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents aimed at tracking down and prosecuting illegal gun traffickers, resulting eleven grand jury indictments of twelve individuals.

“This new legislation is not an anti-gun measure: it is an anti-violence measure,” added Governor Corzine. “We must not rest, we must not equivocate, while the threat of gun violence remains on New Jersey streets.”