Healy to praise gun control bill

Monday, December 08, 2008
By JERSEY JOURNAL STAFF

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy is scheduled to testify before the New Jersey Senate's Law, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee during a 10 a.m. hearing today in Trenton regarding one-gun-a-month handgun legislation he has championed.

The Assembly has already passed its version of the bill and if the Senate bill is reported favorably in committee Monday, then it would advance to the full Senate for consideration.

In June 2006, Healy introduced, and the City Council passed, a "One Handgun a Month" ordinance limiting the amount of handguns an individual could purchase to one per month.

With the support of the National Rifle Association, a local gun dealer challenged the ordinance in Superior Court and the ordinance was struck down. The judge ruled that Jersey City was pre-empted by state law from enacting such an ordinance and that the ordinance unreasonably discriminated against Jersey City gun dealers.

That verdict was upheld by the Appellate Division, but the city is appealing to the New Jersey Supreme Court while it also pursues legislative action.

The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by state Sens. Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Jersey City, and Teresa Ruiz, D-Newark.

"Laws that limit the bulk purchases of handguns, such as our 'One Handgun a Month' bill prevent straw purchasers from buying handguns in bulk that they later sell to criminals," Healy said in a statement.

Quote:

WTF - It should be one handgun per individuals lifetime or when the handgun becomes defective and an exchange program occurs.

Healy testifies today for new handgun rule

Hudson Reporter - Dec. 8

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy is scheduled this morning to testify before the New Jersey Senate?s Law, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee regarding the ?One Handgun a Month? Bill currently before the state Legislature.

If passed, the bill will regulate handgun purchases to one handgun per purchaser per month.

The Assembly has already passed its version of the bill and if the Senate bill is reported favorably in committee Monday, then it will advance to the full Senate for consideration.

In June 2006, Mayor Healy introduced and the City Council passed a ?One Handgun a Month? ordinance limiting the amount of handguns an individual could purchase to one per month. However, Jersey City gun dealer Frank Caso ? with NRA backing and some financial support ? challenged the ordinance in state Superior Court and the ordinance was struck down.

The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by state Senator Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson) and Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex).