DATE CREATED: January 9, 2024
LAST ACTION DATE: 01/09/2024
LAST AMENDMENT DATE: 12/28/2023
PROGRESS: In Committee
BILL ID: S1143
CATEGORIES: Justice
REGION: NJ
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.
SESSION: 2024-2025 Regular Session
VERSIONS: 1
LAST ACTION: Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
ACTIONS: 1
SPONSORS: John McKeon (D)*
KEYWORDS: Distinguishing Identification Mark, Highly Heated Gases, Military Style Feature, Produce Uncontrolled Combustion, Protrudes Conspicuously Beneath, Razor Blades Imbedded, Resultant Gaseous Pressures, Springfield Armory Bm, Weaver Arm Nighthawk, Assault Weapons Ban
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