TRENTON – A Resolution sponsored by Senator Byron M. Baer which would urge the President and Congress to re-authorize the federal assault weapons ban was approved by the full Senate today.
“New Jersey has some of the toughest gun control laws in the country but this summer the safety of our residents was greatly compromised after the federal government lifted a ban on assault weapons,” said Senator Baer, D-Bergen. “In 1990 we issued a ban on assault weapons, but now that surrounding states can purchase these high powered weapons, our residents are in danger of these deadly guns finding there way here.
The Resolution, SR-84, would urge the members of the State’s Congressional delegation to work to re-instate the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which banned the sale of semi-automatic assault weapons.
“I will continue to call on federal officials to reestablish and strengthen the 1994 assault weapons ban,” said Senator Baer. “We need to continue the fight for our safety because the interests of the people should be the priority of Congress, not special interest groups that put citizens lives at risk.”
Senator Baer noted that the assault weapons covered by the ban were designed with military features intended for combat in a war setting, and had become the “weapon of choice” for gangs. Senator Baer also stated that, “One in five police officers killed in the line of duty between 1998 and 2001 were shot by an assault weapon.”
The bill now heads to the Assembly for Consideration.