Bill

Bill > A4687


NJ A4687

Prohibits leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor under age of 18; requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to conduct follow-up.


summary

Introduced
09/12/2024
In Committee
09/12/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under section 1 of P.L.1991, c.397 (C.2C:58-15), a firearm owner is prohibited from leaving a loaded firearm within easy access of a minor under the age of 16. This bill increases the age of a minor to under the age of 18. The bill also requires a law enforcement officer who observes that a firearm owner has not properly stored or secured his or her firearm to return to the firearm owner's premises to ensure that the firearms are properly secured. Under section 1 of P.L.1991, c.397 (C.2C:58-15), unless a firearm owner takes certain precautions, the owner is guilty of a disorderly persons offense if he or she knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the owner's control and the minor gains access to the firearm. The precautions required under the law include storing the firearm in a securely locked box, secure location, or with a trigger lock. A disorderly person's offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

AI Summary

This bill increases the age of a minor from under 16 to under 18 for the purposes of the law prohibiting firearm owners from leaving a loaded firearm within easy access of a minor. The bill also requires a law enforcement officer who observes that a firearm owner has not properly stored or secured their firearm to return to the premises to ensure the firearms are properly secured. The existing law already imposes a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000, on firearm owners who fail to take certain precautions to secure their firearms from access by minors under the age of 16.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 09/12/2024)

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