Measure is named after Jersey City Police Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo who was shot and killed with a stolen 12-gauge shotgun in the line of duty in 2009
(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Charles Mainor which honors the life of slain Jersey City police detective Marc Anthony DiNardo by making it crime to use a defaced or stolen firearm to injure a law enforcement officer was released Monday by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A-1013), known as “Marc Anthony’s Law” in honor of officer DiNardo who died from injuries sustained during a shootout with suspected robbers in 2009, would make it a first degree crime to use a defaced or stolen firearm to cause serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer, and a second degree crime to use a defaced or stolen firearm to cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.
“Dt. DiNardo was a decorated officer. Just weeks before his death he helped save a woman who had jumped into the Hackensack River. He should have been readying to celebrate his 38th birthday, but instead his life was cut short by a stolen 12-gauge shotgun,” said Mainor (D-Hudson).
“Police officers like Dt. DiNardo put their lives on the line every day to protect others. Their work is dangerous. This bill hopes to reduce that risk by criminalizing the use of these types of firearms to harm our police officers, and the penalties for defacing or possessing a defaced firearm. It is the least we can do for those who risk their safety to ensure ours,” added Mainor.
In addition, the bill increases the penalties for defacing a firearm and for acquiring or possessing a defaced firearm. Under the bill, the penalty for defacing a firearm is upgraded from a third degree crime to a second degree crime, which is punishable for a term of imprisonment between five and 10 years; a fine of up to $150,000; or both. The penalty for acquiring or possessing a defaced firearm is upgraded from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree, which is punishable for a term of imprisonment between three and five years; a fine of up to $15,000; or both.
The bill was released by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.