Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- June 7, at 2:00 p.m., the New Jersey Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to consider Assembly Bill 1216, legislation that would increase the penalty for possession of a “firearm” on the grounds of an education institution, raising it from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Linda Stender (D-22), A1216 would increase the crime of having a firearm or weapon on the grounds of an educational 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!
Assemblyman Charles Mainor (D-31), Chairman
[email protected]
201-536-7851
Assemblyman Gilbert L. Wilson (D-5), Vice Chairman
[email protected]
856-547-4800
Assemblyman Nelson T. Albano (D-1)
[email protected]
856-696-7109
Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (D-14)
[email protected]
609-631-0198
Assemblyman Sean Connors (D-33)
[email protected]
201-795-9190
Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-20)
[email protected]
908-624-0880
Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-30)
[email protected]
732-974-0400
Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (R-10)
[email protected]
732-840-9028
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23)
[email protected]
908-238-0251
Assemblyman David P. Rible (R-30)
[email protected]
732-974-0400
Assemblyman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-15)
[email protected]
609-292-0500
About 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. Visit: www.nra.org
