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Greenwald: National Law Enforcement Leader has said 10-Round Magazines ‘Could Save Lives’

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington) on Thursday noted the words of a national law enforcement leader, who has said 10-round ammunition magazines “could save lives.”
Greenwald is the sponsor of Assembly approved legislation (A-1329) that bans firearm magazines that can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Magazines capable of holding up to 15 rounds of ammunition currently are legal in New Jersey.
“These are words we should all pay attention to from a national law enforcement leader,” Greenwald said of the Baltimore police chief’s remarks. “This bill can save lives. It is, quite simply, common sense.”
Baltimore Police Chief Jim Johnson,
Chair of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence

“High-capacity magazines are the deadliest of gun cartridges. They come in cases of 30, 40, 60 and even 120 rounds…[Baltimore County Police Chief Jim] Johnson, the Chair of the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, wants to limit them to a capacity of 10 rounds.

“The fewer the bullets, the more often the shooter has to stop firing, eject the empty cartridge and load another one.

“A lot can happen in the window of time it takes to reload, Johnson said.

“Folks that are being attacked have time to react, to close that distance in,” he said. “I think any football player in America would like to have four-and-a-half seconds to get to the quarterback without any of the offensive players.”

“An expert shooter like a police officer can switch magazines in less than two seconds. But for a nervous, scared adolescent, it would take much longer, Johnson said, which can be crucial.

“During the Tucson, Ariz., attack on Rep. Gabby Giffords, gunman Jared Loughner was wrestled down when he stopped shooting to reload his 9-millimeter pistol. During the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting spree last July, police say James Holmes’ assault came to an end when his semi-automatic rifle jammed.

“As we’ve seen in America today, there have been several attacks where that reload is vital,” Johnson said. “Tragically, in the shooting of a congresswoman, the reload was instrumental.

“We’ve also seen this in Baltimore County, in a school shooting that we had, where the reload became very instrumental in allowing the teacher to actually tackle a student that was trying to reload a double-barreled shotgun,” he said…

“I have to advise you that even for law enforcement, 100-round magazines, 50-round magazines, have no place for law enforcement,” Johnson said. “Certainly, we believe that limiting a magazine to 10 rounds, what was in place from ’94 to 2004, is wise and certainly could save lives in America.”
Source: “Baltimore Police Chief Wants to Ban High-Capacity Firepower”,
ABC News, 12/20/12

“High-capacity magazines are not used for hunting, do not belong in our homes and wreak havoc in our communities. Banning these magazines will reduce the number of bullets a shooter can use before having to reload. Reloading can provide a window of time in which to take down a shooter, as we saw in Tucson.

“I have been in law enforcement for nearly 35 years, and have seen an explosion in firepower since the assault weapons ban expired. It is common to find many shell casings at crime scenes these days, as victims are being riddled with multiple gunshots.”

“The common-sense measures we are calling for will not infringe on Second Amendment rights, but will ensure that we keep guns out of dangerous hands and excessive firepower out of our communities.

“Generations of Americans, including our youngest ones, are depending on you to ensure they will grow up and fulfill their roles in the great human experience. None of us can fail them. I urge you to follow the will of the American public and stand with law enforcement to enact these common-sense public safety measures.”
Source: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, 1/30/13