Ex-cons grabbing up ammo in Garden State, commission finds

A state investigation found convicted felons and gang members are able to buy ammunition for handguns all over the Garden State. The State Commission of Investigation (SCI) led a three-year probe that

News 12 Staff

Dec 12, 2006, 11:53 PM

Updated 6,512 days ago

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A state investigation found convicted felons and gang members are able to buy ammunition for handguns all over the Garden State.
The State Commission of Investigation (SCI) led a three-year probe that discovered convicted felons, who aren?t supposed to own guns, regularly purchase ammunition. According to the SCI deputy director, 42 convicted felons purchased 15,000 rounds of ammunition in one store alone. Although the practice sounds illegal, the SCI says a person only needs a license to prove they are over 21 to purchase ammunition in New Jersey.
By law, shops are required to keep a written record of customers who purchase gun ammunition. However, the SCI says that is not deterring ex-criminals. Investigators are now urging lawmakers to change the regulations to add a background check for ammunitions sales. The Assembly passed a bill in May adding more restrictions to ammunition purchases, but it stalled in the Senate.