Are Tighter Restrictions on Gun Ownership Needed in New Jersey?
A spate of mass shootings, some of which involved police officers, has led to renewed calls by some people for tighter gun control laws. Although the most recent shootings occurred in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas, there has been a push by gun control advocates for additional restrictions on firearms in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere in the country.
Gun Violence Is a Serious Problem in the US
Approximately 117,000 people are shot annually in the U.S., with almost 33 percent of these shooting victims tragically dying as a result of their gunshot wounds.
High-profile mass shootings in the U.S. always seem to generate a lot of media coverage, with much of that coverage granted to people who want federal gun reform, stricter background checks on applicants for firearms, longer waiting periods for purchasing a firearm, and the elimination of concealed carry laws.
It is this last item – concealed carry laws – that has prompted a heated debate between gun control advocates and gun rights advocates. That’s because there are many people who believe that the ability to carry a concealed weapon could prove vital in the event of a mass shooting.
There are currently eight states that do not even require a gun owner to obtain a permit or submit to a background check in order to carry a concealed weapon in public. The problem, argue opponents of measures to allow gun owners greater freedom to arm themselves, is that the introduction of additional firearms into an already-dangerous mass shooting situation could prove even more deadly.
Tough Gun Crime Laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, it is extremely difficult for a person to obtain a concealed carry permit. A gun owner wishing to get such a permit must apply to the local police department or the Superintendent of the NJ State Police and provide a valid safety justification for the issuance of the concealed carry permit.
The reality is that New Jersey already has some of the toughest gun laws in the United States. In fact, the NJ Graves Act actually mandates minimum terms of incarceration for individuals who are caught illegally possessing handguns. In some cases, however, a skilled criminal defense attorney can potentially negotiate a Graves Act waiver that allows for a reduced term of imprisonment.
For more information, read the USA Today article, “States Where Anyone Can Carry Concealed Weapons.”
If you have been arrested for illegal possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a certain persons offense, or any other Graves Act offense in NJ, you need to talk to a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately. John W. Tumelty is an experienced, aggressive criminal defense lawyer who can help you avoid the most severe penalties for a weapons offense in New Jersey. Contact Mr. Tumelty now to schedule a free consultation about your case.
