Common Sense Gun Reform at State Senate Hearing — Contact committee chair before Monday morning

UPDATE, 4/17/2018: Thank you to everyone who called and emailed — these 6 bills have all been successfully moved forward out of the Law & Public Safety Committee! Stay tuned for next steps. In the meantime, be sure your state senator knows that you support these common sense bills!

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Six common sense gun safety reform bills have passed in the state Assembly, and are now working their way through the state Senate. On Monday morning, April 16th, the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee will consider these bills. Call or email the committee chair, Sen. Linda Greenstein, before Monday morning to voice your support for common sense gun safety reform!  609-395-9911 or SenGreenstein@njleg.org

The Parkland shooting, and the many student protests and March for Our Lives events that have followed, continue to inspire momentum for gun safety reform. New Jersey’s state Assembly has already responded by passing 6 common sense gun safety reform bills last month. Now the bills need to pass in the state Senate. But first, they have to pass out of the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee, which will consider them on Monday, April 16th. Contact the chair of the committee, Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-14) this weekend at 609-395-9911 or SenGreenstein@njleg.org, and tell her to support these common sense bills:

• A1181: This bill would establish a protocol for mental health professionals to warn local law enforcement about patients who are a danger to themselves or others. Local police departments would then determine if it is necessary to seize weapons from the patient.
• A1217: This bill would put a “Red Flag Law” on the books in NJ, enabling law enforcement, friends, family, and community members to petition a court to seize someone’s weapons when they are exhibiting warning signs of being a danger to themselves or others. Five other states have enacted Red Flag Laws, and in CT, research suggests such a law has reduced the suicide rate.
• A2757: This bill would require background checks for private gun sales, bringing NJ closer to universal background checks. Experts rate universal background checks as one of the best policies for reducing gun deaths, and a large majority of Americans support them.
• A2758: This bill turns current regulatory rules for obtaining a concealed carry handgun permit into actual law.
• A2759: This bill prohibits the possession of armor-piercing ammunition. This common-sense policy will protect law enforcement officers.
• A2761: This bill reduces the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds. Larger-capacity magazines are often used in mass shootings.

Not sure what to say if you’re not Sen. Greenstein’s constituent? Try this:  “I’m calling/writing because you’re the chair of my state Senate’s Law and Public Safety Committee.”

Then, call your state senator and urge them to support and co-sponsor these bills! Not sure who your state senator is? You can find out here. Click on their name to find their contact information.