Bill > A5964

This bill requires State and local law enforcement agencies to compile and submit detailed, anonymized data about firearm permit applications to the Attorney General on a monthly basis. The data collection stems from recent Supreme Court decisions like N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which changed how firearm licensing can be conducted, and aims to provide transparency around potential disparities in permit approvals. Specifically, the bill mandates that agencies report information including the application date, location, applicant demographics (year of birth, race, ethnicity, and gender identity), approval/denial status, and reasons for denial. The Attorney General is then required to compile this data, beginning with applications submitted since June 23, 2022, and publish an initial report covering that period, followed by monthly reports on the office's website. The bill's legislative findings highlight concerns about potential discriminatory outcomes in firearms permitting, referencing studies suggesting higher denial rates for Black applicants under subjective licensing standards, and emphasizing the importance of tracking and understanding any disparate impacts on different demographic groups. The legislation is designed to create a transparent, data-driven approach to understanding firearm permit application processes across New Jersey.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5964