Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America today applauded Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg’s introduction of SB 2785—a bill that closes a dangerous loophole in current New Jersey law that makes it too easy for felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people to buy rifles and shotguns. Under current law, a person may use a decades-old permit to buy a long gun—even if they have recently committed a crime. SB 2785 fixes this gap in current law by requiring point-of-sale background checks before every shotgun and rifle transfer, with reasonable exceptions such as transfers between family, for self-defense and while hunting.
“As moms dedicated to keeping our children safe from gun violence, we applaud Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg for introducing this common-sense, life-saving background check bill in the New Jersey Legislature,” said Brett Sabo, a volunteer with the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “This bill fixes a loophole in current New Jersey law that allows felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people to get their hands on rifles and shotguns. For those wishing to legally purchase a rifle or shotgun in New Jersey, the process is still convenient – over 99 percent of New Jersey residents live within 10 miles of a licensed gun dealer, where they can get a simple background check and buy a long gun from a private seller. We hope the New Jersey legislature will see this bill for what it is—a straightforward measure that keeps New Jersey women, families, and communities safe.”
