New Jersey Assembly Bill A2783

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

"New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act"; establishes certain requirements and penalties regarding firearm storage; repeals law governing minor's access to firearm; requires AG to establish public awareness campaign regarding firearm storage; appropriates $500,000.

Impact

The impact of A2783 on state law involves the introduction of new storage requirements that influence how firearm owners must manage their weapons, underlining a significant shift towards stricter gun safety protocols. The premises' tenant must prove that they have stored firearms appropriately; failure to comply can lead to legal implications, including a permissive inference of recklessness. The bill also requires significant reporting and data collection by the Attorney General to evaluate its effectiveness post-implementation, emphasizing accountability.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2783, known as the 'New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act,' seeks to establish stringent requirements and penalties associated with the storage of firearms in New Jersey. The bill mandates that firearms must be stored unloaded in a gun safe or securely locked container when not in use, with ammunition being stored separately. This law particularly targets reducing the risk of accidental injuries and fatalities that can occur when firearms are improperly stored. The bill also repeals existing laws that solely govern penalties related to a minor's access to firearms, such as those concerning access to loaded guns, and applies broader storage requirements for all firearms.

Contention

While proponents of the bill argue that safer storage of firearms would lead to a reduction in accidental deaths and injuries, concerns arise about the implications it has on responsible gun ownership. Critics may argue that these mandates could be perceived as government overreach into personal rights, potentially leading to confrontations regarding how firearms are stored in private residences. Additionally, there is an ongoing debate about whether such regulations are sufficient to effectively curb gun violence and accidents, or if they merely address symptomatically rather than tackling the underlying issues.

Public awareness campaign

To support the enforcement of these new regulations, the bill includes provisions for a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the proper storage of firearms and the penalties for violations. With an allocation of $500,000 for this campaign, the Attorney General is tasked with developing educational materials and outreach, utilizing various media channels to ensure broad community awareness regarding firearm safety issues.