Assemblymen Reed Gusciora and Michael Panter

GUSCIORA/PANTER INTRODUCE BILL TO BAN MILITARY-STYLE .50-CALIBER GUNS

Potentially Destructive Military-Grade Weapons Pose Security Threat to NJ

(TRENTON) - Assemblymen Reed Gusciora and Mike Panter recently introduced legislation to ban the sale of .50-caliber rifles - powerful battlefield-styled weapons that can fire large armor-piercing rounds with enough power to knock down a helicopter.

The legislators said they crafted their bill (A-3998) to mitigate the potential for such weapons falling into the hands of terrorists who could use the guns to fire upon chemical plants, aircraft and police installations.

"In a post-9/11 society, there is simply no reason for .50-caliber weapons to be available for civilian use," said Gusciora (D-Mercer). "With the continued rise in gang violence across the state and the fact that New Jersey possesses numerous chemical plants and rail yards vulnerable to attack by .50-caliber weapons, we have a serious responsibility to stop these inherently deadly weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

According to the sponsors, .50-caliber weapons can resemble hunting and sporting rifles in size and ease of use, but are military-grade weapons designed to give individuals the ability to deliver devastating firepower on the battlefield.

Currently, .50-caliber weapons are available for purchase at New Jersey gun shops by anyone who possesses proper identification and passes a simple background check. The Gusciora/Panter legislation seeks a total ban on the sale and ownership of these weapons.

The legislation (A-3998) would revise the definition of a "destructive device" to include weapons of .50-caliber or greater, making it unlawful to possess the highly destructive weapons. The current definition only applies to weapons .60-caliber or greater and explosive or incendiary devices .

The bill includes an exemption for antique firearms, antique handguns, and traditional muzzleloader rifles, as well as a "grandfather" provision allowing persons who already lawfully posses a firearm of .50-caliber or greater to continue to legally possess their large caliber firearms.

The lawmakers said the guns can be accurate up to a distance of 1.5 miles and have no legitimate sporting purpose.

"Fifty-caliber guns are inappropriate and unnecessary for civilian use and sale," said Panter (D-Monmouth). "They are military weapons designed specifically for combat purposes."

Under the Gusciora/Panter measure, a person illegally possessing a .50-caliber weapon would be guilty of a third-degree crime punishable by a $15,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

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