Senator Girgenti in the News
Girgenti Bill To Upgrade Penalties For Unlawful Possession of Assault Weapons Becomes Law
February 02, 2009
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader John A. Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to upgrade the penalties for those who unlawfully possess assault weapons and machine guns, was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.
“The intent of this bill is to correct the disconnect between the enhanced criminal street gang related penalties and the underlying offense of illegal machine gun or assault weapons possession,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “It is a necessary element of the ‘Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods’ package that we introduced last session. In order to truly make our streets safe we must continue to set forth initiatives that can unequivocally address gang-related crime.”
The bill, S-1304, would upgrade the offense for unlawful possession of an assault weapon or machine gun from a crime of the third degree, to a crime of the second degree. A crime of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment of between five and 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.
“Last session, we enacted a measure that made unlawful handgun possession a crime of the second degree; this bill would create uniform penalties for unlawful possession of assault weapons and machine guns,” said Senator Girgenti. “This bill is also part of the Governor’s anti-crime package, and an important step in our efforts to strengthen safety and security on our streets.”