Authorizes creation of Second Amendment license plates.
Impact
The bill stipulates a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee for the Second Amendment license plates, with proceeds directed into a specially designated fund called the 'Second Amendment License Plate Fund'. This fund is intended to support state-owned gun ranges, indicating a financial commitment to promoting and maintaining firearm-related activities and facilities. Additionally, the legislation ensures that no state or public funds will be utilized in the initial establishment of the license plate program, compelling private contributions to cover preliminary costs.
Summary
Senate Bill S1867 seeks to authorize the creation and issuance of specialty license plates in New Jersey that prominently display imagery and messaging related to the Second Amendment. The license plates will feature a militiaman and the phrase 'Protect the Second Amendment'. This initiative is part of a broader legislative effort to reinforce gun rights within the state, appealing to constituents who prioritize the Second Amendment as a critical aspect of their legislative representation.
Contention
Notably, the legislative process requires that a minimum of 500 completed applications must be received before the program can commence, alongside financial backing from private sources not to exceed $25,000, which has raised questions among proponents about the viability and sustainability of this initiative. Critics may challenge this bill from various angles, including concerns about the implications of such specificity in specialty license plates on broader public policy and potential divisiveness in how state resources are symbolically allocated.