GUSCIORA/STENDER/DIEGNAN SEEK GUN DATA ACCESS
FOR STATE, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES
Measure Urges Congress to Grant Broader Access to Federal Firearms Info

(TRENTON) - Assembly members Reed Gusciora, Linda Stender, and Patrick Diegnan today announced the introduction of legislation seeking congressional authorization for state and local law enforcement agencies to access federal firearms tracing data.

The measure (AR-261) urges the U.S. Congress to pass a federal law so state and local law enforcement personnel could utilize gun information that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) compiles and maintains as a firearm is manufactured and works its way through the commercial chain of distribution.

The lawmakers said the measure is timely in light of the recent arrests of the "Fort Dix Six," alleged terrorist suspects who have been charged for plotting to launch a killing spree directed at military personnel at Fort Dix in Burlington County.  The six men were arrested May 7 during what the FBI said was an attempt to buy AK-47 machine guns, M-16s, and other weapons.

"Notwithstanding the lessons from the Fort Dix incident, gun violence remains a constant threat and all levels of law enforcement need to be engaged in combating this menace," said Assemblyman Gusciora (D-Mercer).  "The lines of communication need to be completely opened among the various levels of the law enforcement community."

Gusciora said investigators would be able to use the firearm records to narrow criminal investigations and to generate new leads while solving crimes.  Firearm trace data and multiple handgun sales reports, when coupled with other investigative data, can be strong indicators of firearm trafficking.

By analyzing data, law enforcement officials would be able to identify the source and market areas for guns that are involved in crimes.

"Stronger measures are needed to stem the flow of guns into the illegal market and into the hands of criminals," said Assemblywoman Stender (D-Union).  "By giving the entire law enforcement community access to gun tracing records, police and prosecutors can do a better job of keeping guns off the street and combating gun violence."

In recent years, Congress has enacted measures, such as the "Tiahrt Amendment," which prohibits the ATF from disclosing firearm trace data and multiple handgun sales reports.  The amendment only allows for the information to be distributed in support of bona fide criminal investigations or agency licensing proceedings. 

"Congress should act as soon as possible to remove the barriers that they have enacted recently to tie the hands of law enforcement authorities," said Assemblyman Diegnan (D-Middlesex).  "The firearm trace data is an essential crime-fighting tool for law enforcement officials and should be available at any stage of a criminal investigation."

A coalition of more than 200 mayors, led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, has been created to find ways to stop the flow of illegal guns into cities.  New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has also joined the effort to find the source of illegal guns.

"Law enforcement officials need every tool available at their disposal to be successful in their fight against gun crimes," said Gusciora.  "New Jersey needs to stand up and tell Congress that we will not sit idly by while criminals illegally traffic, possess and use guns in our state."

This measure is also sponsored by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri-Huttle (D-Bergen) and Assemblymen Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), Robert Gordon (D-Bergen), Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), Michael Panter (D-Monmouth), and Louis Manzo (D-Hudson).
                                 

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