Yesterday, October 17, the New Jersey Judiciary Committee passed Assembly Bill 4769 by a party-line vote of 3-2, with the three Assembly Democrats advancing the bill to the Appropriations Committee. However, the bill was already scheduled for an Appropriations hearing last Friday, well before the committee even discussed and voted on it.
“Normally, a bill is not assigned to the next step until after it is voted out of a policy committee like Judiciary,” said Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Apparently, democracy has been put on hold in New Jersey when it comes to firearms and it’s perfectly acceptable to cram gun-control bills through the process without even discussing them.”
The Appropriations Committee will hear A4769 on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. in Committee Room 11, 4th floor of the State House Annex in Trenton.
Please email the members of the Appropriations Committee and
urge them to OPPOSE A4769.
Do not be fooled that this bill only affects concealed carry permit holders. This audacious bill affects ALL gun owners. A4769 makes several changes to the Firearm Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC), which is required to purchase any firearm, including a rifle or a shotgun for hunting.
“A4769 allows the government to reject an FPIC on subjective opinions of bureaucrats or others if they believe the person lacks ‘the essential character or temperament necessary to be entrusted with a firearm,’ whatever that might mean,” said Adkins.
Last week, Democratic leaders announced at their anti-gun press conference that quick action would be taken, and they have held true to their word, regardless of the constitutionality of the bill, which Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (R-13) pointed out several times today during the hearing. Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-39) also expressed his concerns for A4769, but these reasonable fact-based arguments were drowned out by anti-gun extremism from other committee members. Both Assemblymember Flynn and Auth stood up for hunters, shooters, and gun owners by voting “No” on A4769.
Sportsmen in New Jersey need to continue to make their opposition to A4769 heard when it comes up for a hearing on Thursday. Please send an email to the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee urging them to OPPOSE A4769.
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.