Murphy’s call for permit price hike draws ire of gun owners

It could soon cost more to get gun licenses and permits in New Jersey under a new proposal by the governor.

News 12 Staff

Mar 10, 2019, 9:21 PM

Updated 2,097 days ago

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Murphy’s call for permit price hike draws ire of gun owners
It could soon cost more to get gun licenses and permits in New Jersey under a new proposal by the governor.
During his budget address last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said he wants to increase license and permit fees to $50 and use the additional revenue to fund law enforcement efforts to stop the illegal guns from out of state.
"It's actually cheaper to get a permit to purchase a handgun, two bucks, than it is to get a dog license in many of our communities," Murphy said.
Gun owners and advocates say the new measures would be unfair to them.
"Legal gun owners have already, already have to go through enough to buy a firearm and possess it legally in the state of New Jersey without some de facto tax being added to the cost of a firearms ID card or the cost of a permit," said Ira Levin, of Legend Firearms.
He says that increased fees could drive down sales and hurt his business.
During his first year in office, Murphy has already signed seven new gun safety bills into law.
Some members of his own party say the state has done enough and doesn't need a permit price hike.
"I think we've done a lot with gun reform in the state," said Sen. Steve Sweeney. “We are the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to gun reform and just to check a box to say you did something, I don't think that's necessary."