(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by
Assembly Democrats Lou Greenwald, Annette Quijano, Albert Coutinho, Tim Eustace,
Gordon Johnson and Mila Jasey to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines capable
of carrying more than 10 rounds in New Jersey was approved Thursday by the
General Assembly.
“High-capacity magazines have only
one purpose – to inflict the most damage possible in the shortest amount of
time. It is time we make public safety a priority and ban these magazines which
have fueled some of the worst shootings in this country,” said Greenwald
(D-Camden/Burlington).
Under current law, magazines capable
of holding a maximum of 15 rounds of ammunition are legal in New Jersey. The
bill (A-1329) would reduce the lawful maximum capacity of ammunition magazines
to 10 rounds. The limit proposed by the bill would bring New Jersey's laws in
line with the magazine limits contained in the original 1994 assault weapons ban
(10 rounds).
The bill is part of the Assembly
Democratic gun violence prevention package.
“Large capacity magazines were used
in the mass shootings in Arizona, Columbine and Virginia Tech. They serve no
other purpose but to allow a shooter to shoot longer without having to reload.
In the debate over gun safety, saving lives should always come first,” said
Quijano (D-Union).
“Because of their ability to hold so
many rounds of ammunition, large capacity magazines significantly increase the
lethality of certain weapons,” said Coutinho (D-Essex). “In the wrong hands,
they are deadly. We don’t pretend that this will end all gun violence, but it
will certainly help.”
“This bill is not meant to restrict
law-abiding gun owners, but rather make it more difficult for individuals intent
on hurting others to unleash the type of carnage we saw in Newtown,” said
Eustace (D-Bergen). “When defenseless children are slaughtered, I think it is
time to reevaluate our priorities.”
“We have seen the level of damage
that these high-capacity magazines can cause too many times. We may not be able
to stop an individual who is intent on gunning down innocent people, but we can
at least try to limit the extent of the damage that they can inflict,” said
Johnson (D-Bergen).
“High-capacity magazines allow
weapons to fire longer without being reloaded. They are used in mass shootings
for this very reason,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris). “This ban alone will not end
gun crime, but it can help save lives. I think we can all agree that is worth
pursuing.”
The bill is in response to the 2011
mass shooting in Arizona which left six people dead and 13 others injured,
including Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The shooter used a large
capacity ammunition magazine. High-capacity magazines were also used in
Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Texas and the Pettit &
Martin Law Offices in San Francisco.
The bill was approved 45-29 and now
awaits further consideration by the Senate.
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