This bill (S 1775) strengthens New Jersey's firearms laws by expanding criminal liability for violations. It changes penalties so that knowingly *or recklessly* violating firearm regulations (like dealer rules or permit applications) becomes a fourth-degree crime, rather than requiring only "knowingly." Key provisions include: (1) requiring dealers to know or "reasonably should know" if a buyer plans to transfer firearms to disqualified persons (e.g., felons), making such sales a second-degree crime with an 18-month mandatory prison term; (2) imposing a five-year mandatory minimum for selling firearms to anyone under 18; and (3) adding stricter requirements for false applications and assault firearm registration. These changes directly affect licensed firearms dealers, sellers, and individuals prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law.
This bill (S 52) upgrades penalties for adults who fail to securely store loaded firearms where minors can access them, resulting in injury or death. Currently a misdemeanor, the offense becomes a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison) if injury occurs, or a third-degree crime (3-5 years) if death or serious injury results. It requires secure storage (locked container, secure location, or trigger lock) to avoid liability, applies to minors under 16, and clarifies exceptions for authorized minor firearm use or self-protection. The law does not change storage requirements but significantly increases criminal penalties for violations causing harm.
S 1293 increases penalties for criminal trespassing when a firearm is carried, regardless of whether the person holds a valid permit to carry a handgun. It elevates trespassing in locations currently classified as fourth-degree crimes (such as schools, homes, hazardous facilities, or airports) to a third-degree crime if a firearm is present, raising potential penalties to 3-5 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. For trespassing that is currently a petty disorderly persons offense (e.g., entering posted areas), carrying a firearm elevates it to a disorderly persons offense with up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines. This bill directly affects individuals who trespass in designated locations while carrying a firearm, with no exceptions for permit holders.
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.
New Jersey's S 1036 would require courts to automatically send juveniles aged 16 or older to adult court for any crime they allegedly committed, if there's probable cause the act would be a crime if committed by an adult. This applies to all offenses, including serious crimes like homicide, robbery, sexual assault, and firearm violations, removing judicial discretion that currently allows courts to deny waivers based on factors like the juvenile's age, maturity, or prior history. The bill changes the current process where prosecutors must seek a waiver and courts weigh specific factors before deciding. It directly affects juveniles 16 and older charged with crimes that would be prosecutable as adult offenses. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
This bill amends New Jersey's pretrial detention rules to address how firearm-related offenses are evaluated. It requires courts to treat public firearm discharges (including those with "ghost guns" or conversion devices) as violent offenses in the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) risk tool, rather than categorizing them as lesser crimes like mischief. This change directly affects defendants charged with firearm offenses that currently don't trigger violent offense status under the PSA, potentially leading to stricter pretrial detention decisions for such cases. The amendment ensures the PSA more accurately reflects the danger posed by modern firearm threats, as highlighted in a 2024 state commission report.
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.
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.
