QUIGLEY/VAS BILL LIMITING HANDGUN PURCHASES TO ONE A MONTH CLEARS COMMITTEE HURDLE

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley and Assemblyman Joseph Vas sponsored to make it illegal for people to purchase more than one handgun a month in New Jersey - a restriction that would help curtail gun access by criminal street gangs - was released today by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.

If enacted, New Jersey would become the fourth state to restrict handgun purchases to one a month, behind Virginia, Maryland, and California.

"There's no good reason why anyone would need to purchase large quantities of handguns all at once," said Quigley (D-Hudson).  "Providing criminals and gang leaders one-stop shopping to outfit themselves with weapons is the obvious implication of bulk handgun purchasing."

Under the bill (A-339), a person who possesses a handgun purchaser permit would be prohibited from buying more than one handgun in New Jersey per calendar month.  The measure also would prohibit a retail firearms dealer from knowingly selling more than one handgun to any particular person in a calendar month.

The measure would exempt law enforcement agencies and federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who purchase a handgun for use in the actual performance of their law enforcement duties.  It also would exempt transfers of guns between licensed retail dealers and licensed firearms collectors.

"Why anyone would need to purchase two, five, or 20 handguns in a short period of time simply defies logic," said Vas (D-Middlesex). 
"Limiting individual handgun purchases to one a month will help curb the number of guns that end up on the street and in the hands of criminals."

Violators would be guilty of a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

The bill mirrors a 2006 ordinance adopted by Jersey City which made it illegal to buy or sell more than one handgun a month.  The measure was ruled to pre-empt state authority and was struck down.

The measure was released 4-1. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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