Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris) issued the following statement in response to Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s announcement of the creation of a Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office:
“Gun violence is a threat to public safety. We must take appropriate action to keep our communities safe and ensure those responsible for senseless acts of gun violence see consequences for their actions.
“This includes ensuring members of the gun industry are held accountable for their role in knowingly or recklessly fueling an increase in gun violence and its influence through the sale and marketing of gun-related products.
“The new Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office is authorized through legislation I sponsored to bring lawsuits against members of the gun industry. This will play a critical role in keeping New Jersey residents safe from the threat of gun violence.
“I am proud that New Jersey continues to lead the nation in combating gun violence with common-sense gun safety measures. Nothing is more important than keeping our residents safe.”
The announcement from the Acting Attorney General comes after legislation (A-1765), sponsored by Assembly Democrats McKeon, Atkins and Jasey, was signed into law to empower the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against members of the gun industry who have knowingly or recklessly taken actions endangering the health and safety of New Jersey residents.