After months of pressure from both sides of the gun control debate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Aug. 16 refused to sign three controversial gun control measures sitting on his desk—including a version of a gun ban that he had called for, according to the Star-Ledger.
Christie altered two bills, sending them back to the Legislature—a massive measure (S-2723) known as state Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s “centerpiece” to overhaul the way the state issues firearms ID cards, and legislation to require New Jersey law enforcement agencies to report information on lost, stolen and discarded guns to federal databases (A-3797).
But the governor completely axed a bill that would ban .50 caliber rifles (A3659). Christie had called for a ban on future sales of the .50-calibers in his own package of violent prevention measures outlined in April. In his veto
message, Christie said that his proposal to ban the weapon was more narrowly tailored than the bill the Legislature passed, which would have also required owners to give them up.
“Tellingly, the Legislature points to no instance of this class of firearms being used by even a single criminal in New Jersey,” Christie wrote. “The wide scope of this total ban, therefore, will not further public safety, but only interfere with lawful recreational pastimes.”
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (DEssex) said Christie’s veto was a “failure of leadership.”
Even though Christie said a task force he created to study gun violence had issued the recommendation to ban future sales of the .50 caliber rifle, its nearly 100-page report made no reference to the gun. Instead, Christie included it in his own package of violence prevention measures the following week. Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said it was Christie’s recommendation, “but it flowed from the report.”
Calling it “little more than an academic white paper,” Christie conditionally vetoed Sweeney’s “centerpiece” legislation, saying it would be unworkable and expensive. He knocked out the biggest part, which would encode
firearms purchase permits on to driver’s licenses or separate photo ID cards and create a system to expand instant background checks to cover private sales.
“None of the technology necessary for this system exists,” Christie wrote. “The Attorney General, the Superintendent of the State Police, and the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission all note that the “smartcard” called for by this bill cannot be implemented now, or any time in the foreseeable future.”
Christie also nixed part of the bill that would require gun buyers to show they’ve undergone safety training, instead recommending that law enforcement agencies distribute pamphlets with gun permits that explain “the best practices for gun ownership”. But he left in place language that would increase penalties for gunowners if minors access the weapon and it results in injury or death; and require those overseeing involuntary mental health ommitments to ask about gun ownership.
Gun rights advocates were thrilled with the governor’s actions, calling them a “blow to anti-gun politicians and the gun ban lobby.”
“After seven months of battle over misguided legislation that won’t stop another crime or prevent another tragedy, we are grateful that Governor Christie has finally ended the discussion on the worst of the bills by tossing them onto the scrap heap where they belong,” said Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs.
