Bill
Bill > S2903
NJ S2903
NJ S2903Establishes "MarcAnthony's Law;" criminalizes use of defaced or stolen firearm to injure a police officer; enhances penalties for defacing firearm.
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 makes it a crime to use a defaced or stolen firearm in causing serious bodily injury or bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. This new law, to be known as "MarcAnthony's Law," in honor of slain Jersey City Detective MarcAnthony DiNardo, makes it a crime of the first degree to use a defaced or stolen firearm to cause serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer and a crime of the second degree to use a defaced or stolen firearm to cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. The bill specifies that a firearm is deemed not to be defaced if it is refinished, rusted, or damaged from ordinary wear and tear and it has not been used in the commission of a crime. The bill also increases the penalties for defacing a firearm and for acquiring or possessing a defaced firearm. The penalty for defacing a firearm is upgraded from a crime of the third degree to a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between five and 10 years; a fine of not more than $150,000; or both. The penalty for acquiring or possessing a defaced firearm is upgraded from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between three and five years; a fine of not more than $15,000; or both.
AI Summary
This bill, known as "MarcAnthony's Law," establishes new criminal offenses and enhances penalties related to the use and defacement of firearms, particularly when they involve law enforcement officers. Specifically, it makes it a first-degree crime to use a stolen or defaced firearm to cause serious bodily injury to a police officer, and a second-degree crime to cause any bodily injury to an officer under similar circumstances. The law clarifies that a firearm is not considered defaced if it's simply worn, rusted, or refinished and hasn't been used in a crime. Furthermore, the bill increases the penalties for defacing a firearm, making it a second-degree crime (punishable by 5-10 years imprisonment and/or a $150,000 fine), and for acquiring or possessing a defaced firearm, making it a third-degree crime (punishable by 3-5 years imprisonment and/or a $15,000 fine). These changes aim to deter the use of illegal firearms against law enforcement and to penalize those who tamper with firearm identification.
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/S2903 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2903_I1.HTM |
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