By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
Earlier this month Gov. Chris Christie loosened New Jersey’s gun laws by executive order.
The Legislature’s two Democratic majority leaders today announced a plan to roll back Christie’s order, especially the part that makes it easier to qualify for a firearm carry permit.
“If these regulations were adopted, it would allow every cab driver, pizza delivery driver, Uber driver and anyone else living or working in a high-crime neighborhood to qualify for a firearm permit,” said Sen. Loretta Weinberg.
Currently one must show a “justifiable need” to carry a gun because of a specific threat to one’s life.
Christie’s order would change the standard to showing a “serious threat” that includes a more generalized fear, according to gun control advocates.
“The proposed regulation by Gov. Christie’s administration is overreaching. It is far too broad with respect to concealed carry weapons,” said Assemblyman Lou Greenwald.
Christie’s order would also show leniency to people with out-of-state carry permits who get stopped and arrested in New Jersey.
The legislators are OK with that.
They also want to clarify how long it takes to get a gun permit, pointing to the case of Carol Bowne, a domestic violence victim stabbed to death by her boyfriend while awaiting a firearms permit.
They’re concerned that introducing firearms into an incendiary situation will not promote safety.
“Our concern is that by basically arming everyone and anyone at any time will just have the reverse effect of that,” Greenwald said.
A gun rights advocate is dubious about the Democrats’ position.
“Well, I really believe that Loretta Weinberg and Lou Greenwald’s war on women — not allowing them to protect themselves — really shows how radical and extreme they are. And the fact that millions of women protect themselves from violent stalkers, ex-boyfriends and so forth exercise this right but they are so radical they don’t believe in a fundamental right. This is primal,” said New Jersey Second Amendment Society President Alexander Roubian.
But the other side says guns in domestic violence situations make death five times more likely.
“Increasing access to weapons is not going to save lives of victims of domestic violence. It will increase the risk of lethality in every domestic violence incident,” said Jane Chivas.
To block the regulations, the Legislature would have to pass a resolution by a simple majority twice.
It’s unclear how hard Christie will push the loser gun regulations now that he’s no longer running for president. The anti-gun forces want to make sure he gets today’s message.