US Supreme Court votes to expand gun rights. How will it impact New Jersey’s laws?

Some of New Jersey’s leaders are negatively reacting to a new United States Supreme Court decision regarding gun laws.

News 12 Staff

Jun 24, 2022, 12:21 AM

Updated 839 days ago

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Some of New Jersey’s leaders are negatively reacting to a new United States Supreme Court decision regarding gun laws.
The court voted to expand gun rights in a ruling that shoots down New York state’s law preventing people from carrying a concealed weapon.
The 6-3 decision will potentially make it easier for people to take to the streets with concealed weapons. Something heavy populated areas and cities have long avoided. It undermines New York’s “proper cause” requirement when it comes to requesting the right to carry a concealed weapon.
Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the decision, "New York's proper cause requirement violates the 14th Amendment by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms in public for self-defense."
New Jersey has some of the country’s strictest gun laws. Gov. Phil Murphy did not support the Court’s decision.
"Let there be no mistake — this dangerous decision will make America a less safe country,” Murphy wrote in a statement. "We are carefully reviewing the Court's language and will work to ensure that our gun safety laws are as strong as possible while remaining consistent with this tragic ruling."
But not all of New Jersey’s leaders are unhappy – some even declare it a victory.
Republican state Sen. Michael Testa, who is from Vineland, suggests that New Jersey’s gun laws should now be reformed.
"New Jersey's concealed carry law contains a ‘justifiable need’ requirement, which is similar to the New York requirement that was just declared unconstitutional,” Testa wrote in a statement.
Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin also weighed in, saying, “To be clear: Carrying a handgun without a permit is still illegal in this state, and all other requirements for obtaining a carry permit still apply.”
This decision comes as legislators on the federal level have been working together to increase gun safety laws, following several mass shootings, including one at a Buffalo grocery store and another at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas which took the lives of children and teachers.
Murphy and Platkin will be speaking publically about this issue at a news conference on Friday morning.