In August 2016, two months after the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the Democratic-controlled legislature in New Jersey passed a series of bills designed to curtail gun violence, including introducing stricter requirements on concealed carry permits and limiting access to guns for people with mental illnesses or a history of domestic abuse.
In 2015, the same legislature passed a bill requiring retailers to stock so-called smart guns in an attempt to make gun ownership safer. In 2014, they passed a bill imposing limits on the size of ammunition magazines. In 2012, shortly after the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school, they sought to ban the sale of .50 caliber rifles.
Exactly none of those bills ever became law, thanks to the concerted efforts of NRA-backed Republican Governor Chris Christie. During his eight years in office, he vetoed virtually every attempt at gun control. But on Monday, with a new governor in office, the state assembly finally began undoing Christie’s legacy of gun violence by passing a package of six gun control bills.
All six are nearly identical to bills that have previously been introduced — and passed — in the state legislature. One imposes a ban on the sale of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Another outlaws the sale of armor-piercing bullets. Two more are aimed at preventing access to guns for people with mental illness or people who might pose a threat to others. A fifth introduces stricter requirements for residents to prove a “justifiable need” in order to obtain a handgun permit. The final bill expands background checks to include all private gun sales.
The package of bills now moves to the Democratic-controlled state senate, where all six are expected to pass, some with bipartisan support. Gov. Phil Murphy, who campaigned on a platform of gun control, will sign all six bills into law. Supporters of the bills were in attendance for the vote on Monday, and burst into applause when the first bill passed.
NEW: Applause from @MomsDemand breaks out as NJAssembly overwhelmingly passes 1st of several gun control bills w bipartisan support. My story tonight @NBCNewYork @shannonrwatts @schoolwalkoutUS @tedgreenbergNBC pic.twitter.com/GfiGCHUTdK
— Brian Thompson (@brian4NY) March 26, 2018
Murphy was elected by a wide margin to succeed Christie last year, and has called on the legislature to go even further on the issue of gun control. During the campaign, he was a vocal supporter of a new tax on guns, in part to discourage sales and to raise additional revenue to support law enforcement and mental health programs.
Monday’s vote comes 48 hours after millions of people attended demonstrations around the country in support of gun control, including large rallies in New Jersey. A handful of gun violence sympathizers were on hand for Monday’s vote as well, festooned in NRA hats.