Yesterday, Oct. 27, the fast-tracked and fatally flawed A4769 did not receive the floor vote Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin predicted earlier this month, and the Assembly is not expected to meet again until mid-November.
Comments from bill sponsors sound like they finally realized that their “public safety” bill is in trouble, and they have no choice but to go back to the drawing board and try to “fix” their mess. Assemblyman John McKeon is quoted in the New Jersey Monitor as saying, “There’s no lack of resolve. If anything, we’re even more determined to get something to the governor’s desk.”
Also, yesterday, the Senate Law and Public Safety passed Senate Bill 3214 by yet another 3-2 party-line vote. Republican Senators, Jean Stanfield and Declan O’Scanlon, both voted to protect sportsmen by voting no to S3214. Senator Ed Durr also stood up to speak against this flawed and restrictive legislation.
The committee chair indicated that S3214’s next hearing will be in the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee. At this time, that hearing date has not been scheduled.
Regardless of what the anti-gun Assembly and Senate politicians come back with to “fix” A4769 and S3214, the reality is that they will not return with anything that law-abiding hunters, shooters and gun owners can support.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor A4769 and S3214, and we will keep you informed as soon as the next action is scheduled on each. Sportsmen throughout the state must stay actively involved to defend our hunting, fishing and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.