Cunningham: Gun Sale Limitations Are ‘Common Sense’

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which would prohibit the sale and purchase of more than one handgun per person, within a 30-day period was approved today by the full Senate by a vote of 21 to 15.

According to the sponsors, the bill is intended to prevent “straw purchasing,” or purchasing a firearm for someone who is not legally allowed to buy one.

“Gang violence has become a way of life in communities around the State,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “Though we have gun laws on the books, more must be done to prevent straw purchases. It is my hope that other states will follow our lead and craft similar legislation to help protect residents from gun violence.”

“This legislation is about reducing gun violence and saving lives,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “The effects of illegal gun violence and the wounds it causes are far-reaching in that they not only touch victims, but also families and communities as a whole. The passage of this bill would be a significant step in the right direction toward reducing the number of illegal, unlicensed guns on the streets and increasing safety for the people of this State.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which prohibits the sale and purchase of more than one handgun per person, within a 30-day period, was signed into law today.

According to the sponsors, the law will help to prevent “straw purchasing,” or purchasing a firearm for someone who is not legally allowed to buy one.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Teresa Ruiz, which would prohibit the sale and purchase of more than one hand-gun per person within a 30-day period was approved today by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 3 to 2.

According to the sponsors, the bill is intended to prevent “straw purchasing,” or purchasing a firearm for someone who is not legally allowed to buy one.

The Senators’ bill, S-1774, would ban the sale or purchase of more than one handgun per person within a 30-day period. The bill would focus on straw purchasers and bulk sellers, who obtain multiple gun permits, buy the guns and then sell them on the black market to unlicensed buyers.

“With handgun violence seemingly on the rise all over the nation, it is imperative that we fight to control and reduce the number of guns on the streets,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “This legislation is not an attempt to prohibit law enforcement officers or licensed gun collectors from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms. Our goal is to impose severe regulations and significant barriers on criminals and straw gun purchasers, and send a clear message that we will fight to protect the safety of all of New Jersey’s neighborhoods.”

“While upstanding, licensed gun owners and law enforcement officers have every right to have firearms, convicted criminals and minors do not,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “This legislation is a step in the right direction toward reclaiming our neighborhoods, and making them safe for children, the elderly, and all who call New Jersey their home.”

TRENTON – In an effort to address a current and worsening physician shortage in New Jersey, a bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would establish a Physician Loan Redemption Program for both primary care and specialty physicians who pledge to work in underserved and physician shortage areas was approved by the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 5 to 0.

The bill (S-1774) is in direct response to the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals report that within 10 years New Jersey will have a shortage of more than 2,800 physicians and specialists.

“It is necessary that all New Jersey citizens have access to qualified doctors no matter where they live in the state,” Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex) said. “A shortage of physicians should not stand in the way of New Jerseyans getting the medical attention they need.”

TRENTON – A bill aimed at stemming gun violence in New Jersey by limiting buyers to one handgun purchase per month fell short of passage in the state Senate today when Republicans failed to offer a single vote in support.

Sponsored by Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson) and Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) the bill (A-339/S-1774) fell just one vote short of passage. Senator Cunningham asked that the bill be held over with the vote total standing at 20-18, with two not voting. A bill requires 21 votes for passage in the Senate.