New Jersey – -(AmmoLand.com)- On Monday, February 24, 2020, the New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hear the following legislation:
S120 (increases penalties for leaving firearms within access of a minor). This bill has been around for several years. It creates serious criminal penalties for gun owners if firearms are left within access of a minor and the minor causes death, serious bodily injury, or bodily injury with the firearm. Based on testimony given by ANJRPC and NRA several years ago, this legislation has now been amended to add an exception to these penalties if the minor obtained the firearm for self-protection. While this amendment represents a significant step, the legislation still precludes parents or guardians from exercising discretion in non-self-defense scenarios.
S746 (prohibits firearms ownership for mere “disorderly person” offenses against animals). Existing animal cruelty laws prohibit firearms ownership by those convicted of serious offenses. This bill would extend that prohibition to those convicted of any offenses, including minor ones like leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under certain conditions. While there may be no excuse for such conduct, there is also no excuse for blatantly overreaching and using low-level disorderly person offenses as an excuse to take away Constitutionally-protected gun rights that may be needed for self-defense in an emergency.
Those wishing to contact members of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee about these bills can find their current contactinformation by clicking here.
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About Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs:The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, Inc. is the official NRA State Association in New Jersey. Our mission is to implement all of the programs and activities at the state level that the NRA does at the national level. This mission includes the following: To support and defend the constitutional rights of the people to keep and bear arms. To take immediate action against any legislation at the local, state and federal level that would infringe upon these rights. Visit: www.anjrpc.org