A new study ranks NJ as the third-strictest state in terms of gun control laws.
The comprehensive study compared all 50 states, giving each state a rating based on its gun control laws. The study was commissioned by the Brady Campaign, an organization dedicated to the prevention of gun violence.
New Jersey received an “A” grade in the study, taking third place overall behind California and Connecticut.
The Brady Campaign also calculated the number of gun-related fatalities in each state, with NJ ranking fifth in terms of the fewest number of gun-related deaths.
When compared with results of the 2011 report, New Jersey actually declined in the rankings. Connecticut imposed stricter laws after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newton, CT made national headlines.
Since last year’s study, NJ legislators have enacted more than 12 new laws relating to gun control. One of these laws concerns illegal possession of a handgun, which is governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b). In accordance with the current incarnation of the statute, unlawful possession of a handgun is typically classified as a second degree felony. If a person is convicted of second degree weapons possession, he or she could be sentenced to up to 10 years in NJ State Prison.
Gun-related offenses are clearly considered extremely serious in New Jersey. NJ prosecutors often follow the lead of the legislature and seek maximum punishments in gun possession cases.
To learn more, read the NJ.com article entitled “New Jersey’s Gun Laws Ranked Third Strictest in the Nation.”
