New Jersey seeking 'gun safety package 2.0' after Pittsburgh

<p>Gov. Phil Murphy is calling for a new round of gun-related legislation in the wake of a mass-shooting in Pittsburgh that left 11 people dead.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 29, 2018, 10:06 PM

Updated 2,017 days ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy is calling for a new round of gun-related legislation in the wake of a mass-shooting in Pittsburgh that left 11 people dead.
Murphy said Monday at a news conference that he was pushing for "gun safety package 2.0,” referencing the previous package of gun laws passed earlier this year. Some of the measures had already been under consideration.
“These latest bills will focus on gun trafficking, tightening the regulation of ammunition, speeding the accessibility of smart gun technology and expanding community-based violence intervention,” the governor said.
Some of the changes the governor is seeking include; legislation to require a photo ID to buy ammunition and a measure to require firearm retailers to carry at least one smart gun, a weapon that can be fired only by an authorized user.
Another proposal calls for grants to help cities reduce gun homicide rates. Other measures will address gun trafficking, where weapons are brought in from other states and used to commit crimes.
“Earlier this year we used our law enforcement tools to break up a major trafficking ring that brought guns from Ohio into Camden. But the work we do is only as good as the tools we have,” said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
A smart gun bill was previously introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, but was vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie.
“No matter how strong we think our gun laws are we must always work to close loopholes that escaped our prior efforts and to enact new regulations when a horrific incident exposes weaknesses,” Murphy said.
Legislative leaders say that they hope to have the bills passed into law and ready for the governor's signature in three months.
In June, Murphy and the Democrat led-Legislature enacted six gun bills, including requiring background checks for private gun sales.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


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