TRENTON – The Senate today approved by a vote of 36 to 1, a measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney, which would increase the cost of permits for manufacturing, selling, transporting or using explosives under the “Explosives Act.”
“The ‘Explosives Act’ wasn’t aimed at targeting people who use fireworks during Independence Day parties or other celebrations, but instead it was meant to help stop would-be terrorists from using explosives to carry out their destructive plans,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “This measure upgrades permit costs and penalties under the ‘Act’ to send a clear message that we are serious about stopping terrorism, and that we will do everything possible to keep explosives out of the hands criminals and other people who plan to use them to do harm.”