New Jersey Assembly Bill A112

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Authorizes chiefs of part-time municipal police forces to issue firearms ID cards and handgun purchase permits.

Impact

By enabling part-time police departments to issue firearms permits, A112 is positioned to enhance local law enforcement's capabilities regarding firearms regulation. This change is expected to facilitate quicker processing of applications, allowing residents easier access to firearms permits while ensuring adherence to existing safety protocols. The bill is part of a broader initiative to balance firearm accessibility with responsible management at the local governance level.

Summary

Assembly Bill A112 seeks to amend New Jersey's current firearms laws to allow chiefs of part-time municipal police departments to issue firearms purchaser identification cards and permits to purchase handguns. Historically, this authority was reserved for the chiefs of full-time police departments. The primary objective of the bill is to streamline the process of issuing these permits and identification cards, thereby reducing the workload on the State Police and enabling a more efficient local permitting system.

Contention

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions among legislators and community members. Supporters argue that it empowers local authorities and makes the permitting process more accessible for qualified individuals, potentially increasing public safety through immediate and localized oversight. Conversely, opponents are concerned that expanding the authority to part-time officers might lead to inconsistencies in firearm regulations and oversight, raising the risk of wrongful permits being issued under less rigorous scrutiny compared to full-time departments.