Like their fellow lawmakers in neighboring New York, Democrats in New Jersey are reportedly fast-tracking legislation designed—according to critics—to do an end-run around the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June, striking down a “proper cause” requirement to get a concealed carry permit.
According to NJ.com, A4769 was advanced in committee Monday. Scott Bach, head of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, quickly described the measure as “a big middle finger to the United States Supreme Court.”
An earlier report at NJ.com described some of the tenets of the 26-page bill, such as a requirement for gun owners to have liability insurance for carrying a concealed sidearm. The bill also expands the places where guns are not allowed.
The scramble began after the high court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which declared the Empire State’s carry law unconstitutional. But instead of moving to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, Democrats in Albany moved swiftly to adopt an equally-restrictive law, essentially thumbing their collective nose at the high court. Federal Judge Glenn T. Suddaby recently struck down much of the new Empire State gun law, drawing shrieks from gun prohibitionists.
Just across the Hudson River, Garden State Democrats are just as determined to get around the Supreme Court decision. Assemblyman Joe Danielson, described as a “prime sponsor” of the New Jersey bill by NJ.com, asserted his measure is “a commonsense bill and it’s a bill New Jersey needs, and it needs it quick.”
New Jersey has never been friendly to gun owners, particularly those wishing to carry a defensive sidearm legally. As noted by NJ.com, “Previously, New Jersey’s concealed carry laws were so tight that few besides retired law enforcement officers could get a permit.”
This all was supposed to change with the Supreme Court decision, but anti-gun Democrats are a stubborn lot, it appears, and are fighting furiously to prevent New Jersey citizens from being armed. Under the old law, officials could simply say “no” to carry permit applicants, while under the new proposal, it appears Democrats are determined to discourage the public. Under A4769, gun owners would be required to buy the liability insurance, take firearms training, and be barred from carrying guns in so-called “sensitive places,” including playgrounds and public parks.
If the measure becomes law—Gov. Phil Murphy has already promised to sign it—there will almost certainly be a federal lawsuit challenging it.
When the high court struck down New York’s law, some observers predicted that officials in New Jersey and about a half-dozen other stated that had similar requirements would have to be “dragged kicking and screaming” into compliance. Those predictions appear to be coming true.
