Gun penalties toughened

Jersey Journal
CARLY BALDWIN
Thursday, February 05, 2009

Gun control legislation that counted Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, D-Hoboken, among its sponsors was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jon Corzine.

The new law imposes more jail time and a significantly increased fine for those caught with an unlicensed machine gun or assault firearm in New Jersey. The law raises the penalty from third-degree to second-degree crime for anyone carrying an unlicensed gun.

"This legislation was designed to deter the unlawful possession of guns which may be used in serious crimes," said Ramos, who sponsored the bill along with Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Gordon Johnson and Albert Coutinho. State Sen. Brian Stack, who is also mayor of Union City, was a co-sponsor of the bill in the state Senate.