Law Stems from Task Force Proposal to Improve Law While Keeping Protections

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Gordon Johnson sponsored to revise New Jersey\’s one-gun-per-month law while continuing to protect law-abiding citizens and businesses is now law.

The measure – signed Saturday by the governor – stems from recommendations from a special task force that reviewed the 1-gun-per-month law.
That law took effect Jan. 1 and is designed to deter straw purchases and illegal handgun trafficking, but Burzichelli and Johnson – both Firearms Task Force members – said it also will penalize many law-abiding citizens unless changed.
\”This is a common sense compromise that does nothing to impair the goal of protecting public safety by keeping criminals from obtaining multiple weapons at once,\” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem). \”These changes correct some unintended consequences while also protecting law-abiding citizens and legitimate businesses.\”
\”These changes allow us to continue targeting straw purchases and other illegal handgun trafficking, but provide reasonable exemptions that make sense,\” said Johnson (D-Bergen). \”In the end, these changes are simply clarifications that don\’t interfere with protecting public safety and combating handgun trafficking.\”
The law (A-4304) clarifies that transfers of handguns between licensed retail dealers, registered wholesale dealers and registered manufacturers are exempted from the monthly limit.
The law also clarifies that transfers of lawfully owned handguns from any person to a licensed retail dealer or a registered wholesale dealer or manufacturer are not subject to the gun per month restriction.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday is also expected to consider two additional Burzichelli-Johnson bills to clarify the law. One bill (A-4361) would exempt those who inherit guns, gun collectors and competitive shooters from the law. The other (AJR-133) would create a firearms advisory task force to review state gun laws.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 5 for Edgar Tavener Jr., age 90 of Gloucester City who died Wednesday, Dec. 30th, 2009.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family 9:30 to 11 AM Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 47 Main St., Mantua, NJ where funeral services will be held at 11 AM. Interment will be in Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. In lieu of flowers contributions in Edgar\’s memory may be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church, 601 Highland Ave., Gloucester City NJ 08030. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.smithfhmantua.com

Catherine D. Willette, age 88 of Corona, CA formerly of Gloucester City for over 30 years died on December 29^th, 2009.