Bill

Bill > A442


NJ A442

NJ A442
Strengthens State's assault weapons ban.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would strengthen the State's current assault weapons ban by revising the definition of an assault weapon to include: rifles with detachable magazines and one military style feature; semi-automatic shotguns with one military style feature; and semi-automatic pistols with one military style feature. The current definition of an assault weapon sets forth a list of prohibited firearms and specifically includes any firearm that is "substantially identical" to any of the enumerated firearms. Under State regulations, a semi-automatic firearm is to be considered substantially identical to an enumerated firearm if it meets certain criteria. This bill codifies these regulations while expanding the number of firearms that would be considered assault weapons by adding criteria and reducing the number of criteria that must be met from two to one. For example, under current regulations, a semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two listed criteria would be considered an assault weapon. These criteria include: a folding telescoping stock, a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and a grenade launcher. Under the bill, additional criteria are added including a thumbhole stock and a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand. The bill also requires that only one criteria be met, rather than the currently required two.

AI Summary

This bill strengthens the state's existing ban on assault weapons by expanding the definition of what constitutes an assault weapon. Previously, assault weapons were defined by a list of specific firearms and those "substantially identical" to them, requiring a semi-automatic rifle to have at least two specific military-style features to be considered an assault weapon. This bill now includes semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and just one military-style feature, such as a folding stock, pistol grip, or flash suppressor. It also expands the list of prohibited features to include things like thumbhole stocks and second handgrips, and applies these new criteria to semi-automatic shotguns and pistols as well, requiring only one of the listed features for them to be classified as assault weapons. The bill aims to broaden the scope of firearms considered assault weapons by lowering the threshold of qualifying features.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Taxonomy

Law, Crime, and Family Issues
  • ‐ Firearms and Gun Control

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A442 01/28/2026
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/442_I1.HTM 01/28/2026
Loading...