Bill
Bill > S2097
NJ S2097
NJ S2097Establishes criminal penalties for sale and possession of binary firearm triggers.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes a crime of possessing or selling a binary trigger. A "binary trigger" is a device affixed to a semiautomatic firearm that is designed to fire one round upon the pull of the trigger and another round upon the release of the trigger. The bill also clarifies that a firearm affixed with a binary trigger constitutes a machine gun. Under current law, possession of a machine gun is a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. The bill also makes it a third degree crime to possess a binary trigger, regardless of whether the person is in possession of a firearm, and provides that the penalty for possessing a binary trigger is to run consecutively with the penalty for possessing an assault firearm or machine gun. The bill also establishes a third degree crime of manufacturing, transporting, shipping, selling, or disposing of a binary trigger. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill allows individuals to voluntarily surrender any binary trigger in their possession to a law enforcement agency within 90 days of the bill's effective date. Licensed manufacturers, wholesale dealers, and retailers have 30 days to voluntarily surrender their binary triggers. The bill is to take effect immediately upon enactment. This bill is consistent with current law prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks and trigger cranks, which are similar devices that enable a person to fire a semiautomatic firearm at a greater rate of speed than originally intended by the firearm's manufacturer.
AI Summary
This bill establishes criminal penalties for the possession and sale of binary triggers, which are devices attached to semiautomatic firearms that cause them to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it's released. The bill amends existing law to classify a firearm with a binary trigger as a machine gun, a crime punishable by five to ten years imprisonment and a fine of up to $150,000. It also makes possessing a binary trigger, even without a firearm, a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000, with penalties running consecutively to those for possessing an assault firearm or machine gun. Manufacturing, transporting, shipping, selling, or disposing of a binary trigger is also a third-degree crime. The bill provides a grace period for individuals to voluntarily surrender binary triggers to law enforcement within 90 days of the bill's enactment, and for licensed dealers within 30 days, aligning with current prohibitions on similar devices like bump stocks and trigger cranks that increase a firearm's rate of fire.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2097 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2097_I1.HTM |
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