Press Releases
Girgenti Fights Transportation Of Illegal Guns With New Law
January 17, 2008
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti, Chairman of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to increase the penalty for illegal gun trafficking, was signed into law this week.
“New Jersey has some of the most protective laws in the nation with respect to purchasing handguns; unfortunately, the majority of handguns used to commit crimes in this State originate from Pennsylvania and Virginia,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “We need to ‘stem the tide’ of illegal guns into the State. We have done a lot to reduce many types of crime in our State, but crimes committed with firearms are still rising and tougher laws are needed to control the gang problem.”
The bill, S-2932, will upgrade the penalties for transporting firearms into the State, for the purpose of unlawful sale, transfer, or distribution from a fourth degree offense to second degree offense which carries a strict penalty of five to ten years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $150,000.
“By creating stricter penalties, we can deter people from bringing firearms into New Jersey. This bill is necessary for stopping gun violence, reducing gang activity and cracking down on those who bring the illegal firearms into our State.”