Criminal Justice (Firearms)

New Jersey's S 2097 makes it a crime to sell or possess binary firearm triggers, which modify semi-automatic guns to fire twice per trigger pull. The bill amends New Jersey's criminal code by adding these triggers to the legal definition of "machine gun," thereby classifying them as illegal under existing machine gun laws. It directly affects gun owners, sellers, and manufacturers who handle or distribute such triggers within the state. The key provision is the legal reclassification, imposing criminal penalties for possession or sale without requiring new prohibitions on standard firearms. This change focuses on specific trigger modifications, not general firearm ownership.

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.