August 9, 2013: Some 16 pieces of firearms legislation were sent to NJ Gov. Chris Christie earlier this summer, and, until yesterday, his only action on those bills was to veto a bill prohibiting the State Pension Fund from investing in manufacturers or sellers of assault weapons.  Yesterday, however, Christie signed 10 of the 15 remaining bills into law, almost all of which were bipartisan approved and noncontroversial, such as:

  • Four bills increasing penalties for firearms related crimes (S1279, S2719, S2468 and S2804)
  • Two bills clarifying that the number of firearms permits is public information, while firearms owner information is not (A3788 and S2720); and
  • a bill requiring the State to submit additional information on persons prohibited from purchasing a firearm to NICS. 

The most controversial bill signed yesterday was the one that bans anyone listed on the federal terrorist watch list from owning a gun.  Clearly aware that the bill may result in law-abiding citizens losing their 2nd Amendment rights with little due process, Christie’s bill signing statement specifically urged “Congress to take steps to ensure that law-abiding American citizens are never swept into these databases.”  But, the real news is what Christie chose to delay acting on (presumably because of the pressures of re-election and a possible Presidential Campaign in 2016):

  • a bill banning .50 caliber rifles (a bill Christie previously expressed support for);
  • a bill mandating additional reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies; and
  • the bill now referred to as Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s “kitchen sink” bill which increases the requirements for buying firearms, increases penalties for more firearms related crimes, and creates a State instant background check system.

Notably, Christie’s ultimate decision on the Sweeney bill carries not only political ramifications, but, if signed, could also result in legal actions, as Assembly leaders allegedly abused their authority and committed a number of rules violations in order to get the bill passed.  No timeline for Christie’s action on the remaining bills was released.