New Jersey Assembly Committee to Consider Anti-Gun Legislation

Sponsored by Assemblyman Linda Stender (D-22), A1216 would increase the crime of having a firearm or weapon on the grounds of an education institution from a third to a second degree crime.  Second degree crimes carry a prison sentence of five to ten years and could include a fine up to $150,000, with no opportunity for New Jersey’s “pre-trial intervention”leniency program, and very limited sentencing discretion by the judge.New Jersey’s definition of “firearm” includes BB guns and air guns.  If A1216 were to pass, someone who mistakenly possessed a firearm on school grounds – even a broken one – would be subject to an unforgiving prison sentence and fine.  Also, parents picking up their children from school after hunting or target shooting, or to go hunting or target shooting, would also be at risk of severe punishment if they enter school grounds with a firearm unloaded and properly stored in their vehicle, even though they are not involved in criminal activity.Firearms possession for an unlawful purpose is already a second degree crime in New Jersey, so this legislation adds nothing except cruel and unusual punishment for innocent mistakes.

Please contact members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote “NO” on A1216!

Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee

Assemblyman Charles Mainor (D-31), Chairman
AsmMainor@njleg.org
201-536-7851

Assemblyman Gilbert L. Wilson (D-5), Vice Chairman
AsmWilson@njleg.org
856-547-4800

Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano (D-1)
AsmAlbano@njleg.org
856-696-7109

Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (D-14)
AsmBenson@njleg.org
609-631-0198

Assemblyman Sean Connors (D-33)
AsmConnors@njleg.org
201-795-9190

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-20)
AsmCryan@njleg.org
908-624-0880

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-30)
AsmsKean@njleg.org
732-974-0400

Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (R-10)
AsmMcGuckin@njleg.org
732-840-9028

Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23)
AsmPeterson@njleg.org
908-238-0251

Assemblyman David P. Rible (R-30)
AsmRible@njleg.org
732-974-0400

Assemblyman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-15)
AswWatsonColeman@njleg.org
609-292-0500