(TRENTON) – The Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018 – which authorizes new protective orders against those who pose a significant danger by either possessing or purchasing a firearm – sponsored by Assembly Democrats John McKeon, Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, Mila Jasey, Tim Eustace, Andrew Zwicker, Carol Murphy and Paul Moriarty was advanced Thursday by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The order would prohibit the subject from possessing or purchasing a firearm or ammunition and from holding a firearms purchaser identification card, permit to purchase a handgun and permit to carry a firearm.
“We’ve seen too many ‘what ifs’ when it comes to these mass shootings, often centered around the question of why didn’t somebody do something to take guns away from someone who poses a danger,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). “This bill makes it easier to accomplish that goal and, ultimately, protect our communities and our children. The status quo doesn’t work. We need new approaches that give authorities a real chance to keep guns away from individuals who pose a threat. It’s common sense.”
“This is the right approach to reducing gun violence,” said Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington). “We’re respecting Second Amendment rights, while taking steps to protect the community through a fair and just process. We’ve heard too many stories about families who couldn’t do anything despite red flags being raised. With this bill, we change that for the better.”
“We need to do more to protect children and our communities from the scourge of gun violence, and this is a creative and thoughtful approach,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris). “We will take steps to take guns away from those who pose a danger to others, but also to themselves. It’s a smart way to keep communities safe.”
“We need to do more to keep guns away from those who pose a threat to themselves or their community,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “This idea carefully lays out a fair and just process while putting safety first.”
“This bill provides a sensible process that protects the rights of lawful gun owners while allowing concerned family members to take action when there are ‘red flags’ that indicate a gun owner poses a serious risk to others,” said Zwicker (D-Somerset/Mercer/Middlesex/Hunterdon). “This is the right thing to do, and I’m certain it will save lives.”
“A fair and just process for keeping communities safe is common sense,” said Murphy (D-Burlington). “We need to improve protections and improve gun safety. This is a very reasonable approach.”
“The current system isn’t working,” said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). “Too many times we’ve asked what if? We need creative solutions that improve safety.”
The bill (A-1217) specifically authorizes a family member or a police officer to file a petition for a temporary extreme risk protective order with the Superior Court alleging that a specific person poses a significant danger of bodily injury to him or herself or others by having custody or control of, owning, possessing, purchasing or receiving a firearm. The petition is to include an affidavit including the number, types, physical description and location of any firearms and ammunition the petitioner believes are possessed by the respondent.
