Measure
is Part of Assembly Democrats’ Comprehensive Anti-Gun Violence
Initiative
(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by
Assembly Democrats Tim Eustace, Connie Wagner and Valerie Vainieri Huttle to
institute standardized photo identification card requirements for firearms
purchases similar to drivers’ licenses was approved 49-26 by the full Assembly
on Thursday.
The legislation is part of the
comprehensive Assembly Democratic anti-gun violence initiative, which is
comprised of more than two dozen bills.
“This is
really a common sense measure,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Cars were not
designed with the intention to be deadly, but yet we have similar requirements
for them to make sure they are being registered and used legally. To require
the same thing of deadly weapons is a smart approach to making sure those who
purchase firearms are doing so legally.”
Under
current law, in order to purchase a rifle or shotgun, a person must have a valid
firearm purchaser identification card (FPIC). However, a firearm purchaser
identification card has no expiration date and does not display a picture of the
card holder. Furthermore, handgun purchasers are not required to have an
FPIC.
The bill
(A-3772) approved today would require that firearms purchaser identification
cards display a digitalized color picture of the card holder and that the card
be renewed every five years.
“This is
not about infringing on anyone’s second amendment rights,” said Wagner
(D-Bergen/Passaic). “This is about keeping guns out of the hands of the wrong
people by ensuring that individuals meet the legal requirements to purchase a
firearm.”
In
addition, the bill clarifies that any person who purchases a handgun is also
required to obtain an FPIC in addition to a permit to purchase a firearm (PPH).
Current law only requires handgun purchasers to have a valid permit to purchase
a handgun. However, the PPH used to purchase handguns is valid for 90 days and
may be used only once. This provision of the bill ensures that a person who
chooses to purchase a handgun also be required to obtain a firearms purchaser
identification card.
“This is
a simple, logical procedure to ensure that anyone purchasing a firearm is
lawfully allowed to do so,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “By requiring a
periodic renewal of the purchaser identification card, we can help make sure
that someone has not committed a recent crime that would disqualify them from
owning a firearm.”
As is
the case with the initial issuance of FPICs under current law, the bill requires
that a person who applies for an FPIC that displays a digitalized color picture
is required to submit to a criminal history background check to determine if the
applicant is disqualified from owning a firearm under the law. This criminal
history background check also applies to any person who renews an FPIC under the
bill.
Finally,
the bill requires the superintendent of the State Police to establish a phase-in
program for people who were issued an FPIC that does not display a digitalized
color picture. Under the phase-in program, any firearms purchaser
identification cards issued prior to the bill’s effective date are to expire on
a date fixed by the superintendent. Upon the expiration of the FPIC, the bill
provides that each card holder is required to submit to a criminal history
background check and obtain a firearms purchaser identification card that
displays a digitalized color picture. The bill requires the superintendent to
implement a procedure for notifying FPIC holders of the card’s expiration and
the manner and location at which the person may renew the
card.
The bill
requires that the phase-in program begin within six months of the bill’s
effective date and end no later than two years following the date that the bill
takes effect.
The
measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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