QUIGLEY BILL LIMITING HANDGUN PURCHASES TO ONE A MONTH SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR (TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley sponsored to make it illegal to buy more than one handgun a month in New Jersey was signed into law today by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. New Jersey becomes the fourth state to restrict handgun purchases to one per 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 law (A-339), a person who possesses a handgun purchaser permit is prohibited from buying more than one handgun in New Jersey per calendar month. The law also prohibits a retail firearms dealer from knowingly selling more than one handgun to any particular person in a calendar month. The measure exempts 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 exempts transfers of guns between licensed retail dealers and licensed firearms collectors. “It defies logic to think anyone would need to purchase two, five or 20 handguns in a short period of time,” Quigley. “Restricting handgun purchases to one a month will help control the spread guns that wind up on the street and in the hands of criminals.” Violators will 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 that made it illegal to buy or sell more than one handgun a month. That ordinance was ruled to pre-empt state authority and was struck down by the courts. On the Net: www.assemblydems.comNJ Assembly Democrats on YouTubeNJ Assembly Democrats on Facebook Sign up for NJ Assembly Dem e-mail alerts