By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A second federal lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s new concealed carry law, signed Thursday by Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, this time from the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJR&PA.)
The National Rifle Association is supporting this lawsuit. ANJR&PA is the NRA state affiliate. The case is known as Siegel v.Platkin.
In a news release announcing the legal action, NRA stated, ““New Jersey has simply changed its approach from one unconstitutional law that allowed ‘no one’ to carry to another unconstitutional law that allows one to carry ‘nowhere,’” the lawsuit alleges. “Notwithstanding the clear ruling of the United States Supreme Court, New Jersey simply does not want ordinary people to carry handguns in public—as is their fundamental right to do.”
In addition to ANJR&PA, plaintiffs in the case are Aaron Siegel—for whom the case is named, Jason Cook, Joseph DeLuca, Nicole Cuozzo, Timothy Varga, Christopher Stamos and Kim Henry. Defendants are Attorney General Matthew Platkin and State Police Supt. Patrick Callahan, in their official capacities. Platkin and Callahan are also defendants in the SAF lawsuit.
According to Fox News, Platkin issued a statement: “New Jersey continues to lead the nation in combating gun violence and demonstrating how common-sense gun laws help keep residents and law enforcement safe. The legislation signed into law today, strengthens our efforts to keep communities safe by keeping firearms out of the wrong hands and away from sensitive locations, such as where children learn and play.”
Murphy insisted the new law respects the Second Amendment.
“Today’s law fully respects the Second Amendment,” he said, “while keeping guns out of the wrong hands and preventing them from proliferating in our communities. I am proud to sign this commonsense legislation which prohibits carrying guns in sensitive places, including our daycares, hospitals, libraries, and stadiums.”
A full list of these “sensitive areas” is included in the legislation.
The new law includes a tougher application process, which requires four “endorsements of character” from “non-related references.”
People with carry licenses must also obtain liability insurance with coverage for up to $300,000, Fox News noted, and the application fee has jumped from $2 to $25.
