Gov. Murphy: 77% of guns used in crimes came from out of state

<p>Gov. Phil Murphy says more than three-quarters of the guns used in crimes in the state came from outside its borders.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 8, 2018, 11:15 PM

Updated 2,314 days ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy says more than three-quarters of the guns used in crimes in the state came from outside its borders.
The governor unveiled the gun data for the first time at an event in Hackensack Tuesday. The information forms part of Murphy's gun control focus and follows an earlier pledge to release the data.
“Our goal is to shine a bright light on the epidemic of gun violence in New Jersey,” the governor said. “This is not just an urban problem…it is a state problem.”
In particular, Murphy says the report does not shy away from "naming and shaming" other states.
In the first quarter of 2018, 83 firearms recovered in crimes were originally purchased in Pennsylvania, more than from any other state. Dozens of other weapons were initially purchased in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Murphy was joined by the father of one of the victims in the Parkland, Florida school shooting.
“From the day following [my daughter’s] murder I’ve set out on a mission to destroy the gun lobby and get common-sense gun laws passed in every state and across the country,” said Fred Guttenberg.
Guttenberg also called on other states to follow New Jersey's lead on its pension. The state's pension fund dumped its investment in a gun manufacturing company earlier this year.
The gun data report was compiled by New Jersey State Police based on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives data.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.