Fairfax, VA -(AmmoLand.com)- On Monday, a panel created by Governor Chris Christie (R) to review New Jersey’s draconian gun laws released its findings and made recommendations.
The New Jersey Firearm Purchase and Permitting Study Commission called for changes to the state’s onerous gun laws. In particular, the panel suggested expansion of the “reasonable deviation” standard whereby those transporting a pistol may go directly to and from a gun range without making any “unnecessary” stops. This vague and inappropriately applied standard has resulted in the incarceration of several honest, law-abiding New Jersey residents, who later had to plead for clemency.
The panel also urged the Attorney General to address the delays that citizens commonly encounter when applying for a Firearms Identification Card (FID Card), which is essentially a possession permit. It’s common practice for local issuing authorities to arbitrarily take as much time as they choose to issue the document, despite a 30 day limit in state statute. The Commission also flagged the unauthorized conditions and requirements for issuing an FID Card, such as employer or spousal consent, as inappropriate.
Finally, the panel advocated for broadening the state’s “justifiable need” requirement for obtaining a concealed carry permit. Under the current interpretation, it’s virtually impossible for the average citizen to obtain a carry permit. While the suggestions offered by the group are incrementally beneficial, they certainly do not go far enough to make true concealed carry a reality in the Garden State.
We urge the Governor to actively and aggressively adopt these much needed reforms. While these recommendations fall short of fixing all that is wrong with New Jersey’s flawed gun laws, we are encouraged that this represents at least a small step in the right direction and offers a degree of relief to beleaguered New Jersey gun owners at this time.
About the NRA-ILA:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
For more information, please visit: www.nra.org. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.
I agree, I am an NRA member in NJ and I have no 2nd amendment rights outside of my home. We need the NRA to fight for us on the frontline. Remember what happens in NJ does not stay in NJ.
Not for nothing John but you are being treated just like an average NJ citizen. Welcome to the herd I hope you find you stay here just as satisfying as the rest of us sheep. Thank you for your service but Im not gonna cry over your plight for you are in our shoes now I hope it fits.
The NRA-ILA has done nothing to help me. I am a recently retired LEO being denied my RPO handgun due to NJ reinterpreting a statue that they have issued to the same class retired officers since 2004. I’m even an instructor in that program; not to mention NRA instructor too. I as well as others have asked the NRA-ILA for help. Except for a un-clear email by someone that obviously didn’t understand the issue. NOTHING! Seems to me the NRA has wrote NJ members off and we are left fending for ourselves. Back to court Monday 12/28/15 for the fourth… Read more »