MANZO AMMUNITION REGULATION BILL ADVANCES

Legislation Would Help Regulate Sale of Ammunition in NJ

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblyman Louis D. Manzo sponsored to regulate the sale of ammunition in New Jersey was released by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today by a vote of 4 to 1.

"Bullets are too easy to obtain in New Jersey," said Manzo (D-Hudson).  "Government officials, law enforcement officials, and confidential informants alike have all reported instances of minors, felons, gang members, and 'straw men' purchasing thousands of rounds of ammunition from the same vendor - with minimal identification.  The need to enact legislation mandating stricter ammunition regulations in New Jersey has never been more clear."

Under Manzo's bill (A-2602), only individuals who possess and display a valid firearms purchaser identification card, a certified copy of a permit to purchase a handgun, a valid permit to carry a handgun, a valid New Jersey hunting license, a valid Collector of Curios and Relics license, or valid documentation identifying them as a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer would be allowed to purchase and possess ammunition in New Jersey.  The Senate committee amended the bill to make these restrictions applicable only to handgun ammunition.

Manzo cited a December 2006 hearing and a February 2007 report by the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) calling for regulation of ammunition sales in New Jersey as proof that legislative action is needed to properly address the problem.

"Restricting access to ammunition would make it that much harder for street gangs to operate," said Manzo.  "Enacting this legislation would help keep ammunition - especially deadly hollow-point bullets - out of the hands of criminals and street gangs."

The measure passed the Assembly earlier this year as part of Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman's "Fighting Gangs, Protecting Our Youth" legislative initiative.  It is now poised for consideration by the full Senate.

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