Bill Would Outlaw Ammunition Magazines Holding More Than Five Rounds

TRENTON – Senators Richard J. Codey (D-Essex/Morris) and Bob Gordon (D-Bergen/Passaic) today introduced legislation to crack down on high capacity magazines by outlawing magazines capable of holding more than five rounds of ammunition.

“The only people who need access to high-capacity magazines are mass murderers, drug dealers and cop killers,” said Senator Codey. “It is well past time that we banned magazines carrying a dozen bullets. The fact is, military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines do not belong on our neighborhood streets.”

“There is absolutely no good reason for an individual to own a gun that fires upwards of a dozen rounds of ammunition,” said Senator Gordon. “Getting these high-capacity magazines off our streets is a good first step in the effort to combat gun violence. However, the reality is that it will take a comprehensive approach to really address the problem that is currently plaguing our state and our nation. I look forward to the Vice President’s recommendations and to having a much-needed national discussion on the issue that will finally lead us toward stamping out gun violence on our streets.”

Currently, it is unlawful to own or possess an ammunition magazine that is capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The legislation would reduce the lawful maximum capacity to five rounds of ammunition.

Additional bills introduced by the senators today include:

• A concurrent resolution (Gordon/Codey) urging the President and Congress to enact an assault weapons ban including a prohibition against large capacity ammunition feeding devices;

• A Senate Resolution (Codey/Gordon) expressing support for the creation of the task force on gun control led by Vice President Biden and recognizing the importance of the task force’s proposals in preventing horrific shootings from occurring again in this country. The Vice President’s recommendations are expected to be delivered tomorrow to President Barack Obama.

• A Joint Resolution (Codey) urging the President, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate to support and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty Proposed by the United Nations.

Senator Codey is also the sponsor of legislation that would require the state to disinvest from any companies that manufacture or sell assault-style weapons such as the firearm used in the tragic Newtown, Conn. school shooting. The bill would also ban investment in these companies going forward.

“As we take action in our state, I look forward to the recommendations that are expected to be announced tomorrow by the Vice President’s task force on gun control,” added Codey. “We have waited far too long as a nation to address the growing problem of gun violence. It is an issue whose time is long overdue.”