State of New Jersey Archives: on Gun Control
Ray Lesniak:
Ban 50-caliber bullets & assault weapons
Gun violence is a persistent threat to our residents. In addition to strengthening New Jersey's already tough gun control laws, Senator Lesniak has taken the following action:- Urged Congress to reinstate the ban on assault weapons that was
allowed to expire under President George Bush.
- Sponsored S 2178, legislation to ban any weapon capable of shooting 50-caliber bullets. Explained Senator Lesniak. "Unless used for hunting rhinoceros,
50-caliber weapons are only used for mass destruction and killings. They should be banned from sale or possession, except for our military and law enforcement officials."
- "It's untenable that weapons designed to shoot down aircraft in
World War II are legally allowed to be owned and used in our communities. My legislation will help make our streets safer by taking these weapons of war off the shelves," concluded Senator Lesniak.
Source: 2016-17 N.J. Governor campaign website, RaymondLesniak.com
Phil Murphy:
Gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis
I won't pander to special interests like the NRA. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we must pursue smart, sensible solutions. The gun violence epidemic continues to plague our state and our nation. Tragically, guns remain a leading cause of
death in our country:- More than 33,000 people died in gun-related deaths in 2014 alone.
- In 2015, New Jersey saw a 4% increase in homicides. The vast majority of these violent crimes involve a firearm.
- Most tragically, dozens of people were
killed last year in accidental gun deaths in which the shooter was five years old or younger--deaths that personalized, smart gun technology would prevent.
The gun violence epidemic is nothing short of a public health crisis. And yet, Governor
Christie continues to stand in the way of sensible reforms. These bipartisan measures would have kept guns out of the hands of gang members, restricted the size of gun magazines, and prohibited the sale of .50-caliber rifles.
Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com
Jun 6, 2017
Tom MacArthur:
Defend right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves
Tom is a long-standing supporter of the Second Amendment and will defend the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families, to hunt, to collect, and to shoot competitively or recreationally. Tom believes in
stiffening penalties for those who commit violent crimes with guns, and will work with both law enforcement & mental health advocates to find better ways to keep guns out of the hands of those who are mentally unstable & a danger to themselves or others.
Source: 2014 N.J. House campaign website, TMac4congress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Jeff Bell:
Gun violence rooted in social breakdown, not gun ownership
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?A: Strongly support. As the Supreme Court has ruled, the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own firearms, including for self-defense. It is dismaying that
some state legislatures, particularly in New Jersey, have steered away from this principle and imposed a flurry of regulations that will impinge on lawful gun owners rather than reduce gun crime. Gun violence in our cities, such as the kind that is
ravaging Newark, are rooted in social breakdown. The more we can encourage family cohesiveness and economic growth, the less likely violence of any kind is to occur in our urban areas. We know this because gun violence, particularly as related to gang
activity, is concentrated in the most impoverished parts of many major cities. We also need to give law enforcement the ability to respond to this problem, and that includes the "stop and frisk" tactic that helped reduce violence in New York.
Source: Email interview for 2014 N.J. Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jul 1, 2014
Barbara Buono:
Criticizes pressure from gun rights advocates
On gun control, Christie explained why he vetoed an outright ban on the powerful Barrett .50 caliber rifle, even though he initially proposed a ban on future purchases.
He blamed Democrats for going back on their word during negotiations with him. "If they break a deal with me, then there's going to be ramifications,"
Christie said. "They didn't keep their word on this."Buono said she believes Christie changed his mind after he received a letter from gun rights advocates in
New Hampshire, the site of the nation's first presidential primary.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2013 N.J. Governor debates
Oct 16, 2013
Chris Christie:
Vetoed outright ban on Barrett .50 caliber rifle
On gun control, Christie explained why he vetoed an outright ban on the powerful Barrett .50 caliber rifle, even though he initially proposed a ban on future purchases.
He blamed Democrats for going back on their word during negotiations with him. "If they break a deal with me, then there's going to be ramifications,"
Christie said. "They didn't keep their word on this."Buono said she believes Christie changed his mind after he received a letter from gun rights advocates in
New Hampshire, the site of the nation's first presidential primary.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2013 N.J. Governor debates
Oct 16, 2013
Barbara Buono:
Restrict military grade and high capacity magazines
As a mother and state senator, Barbara has a long history of supporting tough gun safety laws in New Jersey. The Newtown school shooting and other recent tragedies have only strengthened her resolve to keep military
grade and high capacity magazines out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. Unlike Governor Christie, who refuses to act, Barbara will step up and do what is right to reduce gun violence and keep our children safe.
Source: N.J. Gubernatorial 2013 website, buonoforgovernor.com
Apr 25, 2013
Robert Menendez:
Additional controls on handguns and rifles
Q: Do you favor additional control on handguns and rifles? MENENDEZ: Yes. Violence on our streets is devastating too many New Jersey families. I introduced legislation to combat gangs, which includes increased penalties for gun crimes.
KEAN:
We must uphold our current firearm laws and expand prosecution of those who commit crimes with a firearm, like the 10-20-30 legislation I currently sponsored.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate
Sep 24, 2006
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Uphold our current firearm laws
Q: Do you favor additional control on handguns and rifles? MENENDEZ: Yes. Violence on our streets is devastating too many New Jersey families. I introduced legislation to combat gangs, which includes increased penalties for gun crimes.
KEAN:
We must uphold our current firearm laws and expand prosecution of those who commit crimes with a firearm, like the 10-20-30 legislation I currently sponsored.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Menendez)
Sep 24, 2006
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021