Christie/NJAC Comments due Feb 13 - Suggestions

[mipafox 438]

I found a concise list of suggestions here:http://www.gunownerssociety.com/index.php/en/ariticles/42-proposed-changes-to-the-new-jersey-administrative-code-njacI did not evaluate it, but wish I saw it sooner. Seems to distill things down very concisely. I hope a whole lot of people send in these comments and pressure Christie on this.

 

New Jersey residents we need you to email the Governor and the NJ State Police about proposed changes to the NJAC.Governor Chris Christie, his Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes of the New Jersey State Police are proposing changes to the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) which will affect your rights!We urge you to contact Governor Christie’s office and the Superintendent of the Firearms Investigation Unit of the New Jersey State Police:DEADLINE for comments is February 13, 20151. Office of the GovernorPO Box 001Trenton, NJ 08625Telephone 609-292-6000Fax 609-292-3454Email: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/(choose Law & Public Safety, then choose Civil Rights)2. Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, SuperintendentAttn: Firearms Investigation UnitNew Jersey State PolicePO Box 7068West Trenton, New Jersey 08638Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.What are we asking?We are asking that Governor Chris Christie, his Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes of the New Jersey State Police do the following:1. Amend NJAC 13:54-2 et al, so that one’s own declaration of “self-defense” or “all lawful purposes” will satisfy the “justifiable need” requirement; and2. Oppose the proposed section NJAC 13:54-1.17 -Applications and forms. We oppose allowing police departments to use any additional forms than those already permitted by Statute. NJSA 2C:58-3f clearly states that “[t]here shall be no conditions or requirements added to the form or content of the application, or required by the licensing authority for the issuance of a permit or identification card, other than those that are specifically set forth in this chapter.”3. Clarify the definition of “reasonably necessary” when legally transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 so that reasonably necessary deviations shall include, but not be limited to, collecting and discharging passengers, purchasing gasoline, food, medicine, or other supplies; using a restroom; or contending with an emergency situation.

[The brew guy 22]

You could try to get this up on one or more of the petition sites. I bet you'd get a ton of signatures from people who won't take the time to send the emails. That, combined with the email campaign, would add to the pressure on Trenton.

[mipafox 438]

I think it's worth a real letter on top of an email. And some calls to Christie.

 

I will not be organizing anything on this. Phone calls and letters/emails from constituents will be more persuasive than online petitions. Two angles are to Pressure Christie and send comments on the proposed rules. If people can get the media involved, including out of state, it would help. It's worth an email or phone call to sympathetic journalists. Contact RNC, AGs that have filed suit against NJ and MD. If half the people here spent an hour and the other half spent 2 minutes this would be in the news.

 

In today's political environment, neither this oppressive NJ policy nor Christie could survive the light of day for very long. Ten years ago nobody supported gay marriage. Today you are a "racist" for not throwing all your might behind it. Where do you want Jersey to be in 5 years? It's up to you, not them. You have the advantage that carry is already settled business and widely popular nationwide. You keep the pressure up and the public/media shame and this will not stand.

[springfieldxds 0]

i already sent out some emails and will be making a few calls later today, i hope everybody does the same

[boo 6]

Just sent e-mails to Governor, NJSP, and also to Pro Gun New Hampshire. I figure PGNH helped us out before, maybe they can help again. Here's the PGNH contact page:

 

http://pgnh.org/contact

 

I'll be mailing out letters tomorrow.

[kirk2022 43]

More E-Mails sent

[jackandjill 683]

Appreciate if someone can post a sample email / letter content for me to borrow from.

[boo 6]

For the NJSP and Gov's office, I put in the subject line "Recommendations for New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC)" or something to that effect, and just copied the original post beginning with "We are asking".

 

For Pro Gun New Hampshire, see below. I know it's a lot, and I don't if they're going to read it all. Now that I re-read it, some of the wording is awkward. But maybe if enough people send something maybe they'll take note. If someone wants to change it or make something shorter, feel free.

 

 

 

Three years ago, your organization helped out New Jersey gun owners by
making it clear to our governor, Chris Christie, that any action he made to
infringe on the rights of NJ gun owners would harm his presidential
aspirations. I'm asking if your organization can again come to the aid of
NJ gun owners and let him know that taking the steps below would put him in
a more favorable light to 2016 primary voters. While I'm a member of the
NRA, Second Amendment Foundation, NJ2AS, and ANJRPC, I'm not writing in any
sort of official capacity. I'm simply a law-abiding gun owner asking for
the aid of other fellow gun owners. I can of course put you in touch with
local NJ gun rights organization leadership if you'd like.
 

Currently the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC), which are guidelines
issued by the NJ Attorney General for interpreting laws, are under review.
There are 3 issues that we woud like addressed:

1. Currently NJ will not issue CCW permits unless applicants demonstrate
"justifiable need". Self defense is not considered a "justiable need", but
we want Christie to change that.

2. Currently, prospective NJ gun owners have to deal with a ton of
paperwork just to acquire a gun, and the administrative code is being
revised to allow police departments to increase the paperwork even further.
We oppose that.

3. NJ gun owners face extremely strict transportation laws. If someone
stops for gas on their way home from the shooting range, they risk a
mandatory prison sentence. We need that changed.

The New Jersey 2nd Amendment Society is writing the following letter to Gov Christie and making the following recommendations: 

"I am asking Governor Chris Christie, his Acting Attorney General John J.
Hoffman and Superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes of the New Jersey
State Police to do the following:

1. Amend NJAC 13:54-2 et al, so that one’s own declaration of
“self-defense” or “all lawful purposes” will satisfy the
“justifiable need” requirement; and

2. Oppose the proposed section NJAC 13:54-1.17 -Applications and forms. We
oppose allowing police departments to use any additional forms than those
already permitted by Statute. NJSA 2C:58-3f clearly states that “[t]here
shall be no conditions or requirements added to the form or content of the
application, or required by the licensing authority for the issuance of a
permit or identification card, other than those that are specifically set
forth in this chapter.”

3. Clarify the definition of “reasonably necessary” when legally
transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 so that
reasonably necessary deviations shall include, but not be limited to,
collecting and discharging passengers, purchasing gasoline, food, medicine,
or other supplies; using a restroom; or contending with an emergency
situation."

Unfortunately for us, Gov Christie is now looking past his NJ constituents and focused on running for president. Because of that, you will likely have greater influence on his actions than us. I hope you can join us in our fight, and any help that your organization can provide would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

 

[maintenanceguy 510]

My letter goes out in the mail tomorrow.

 

I'm commenting on:

• FID cards will become invalid 30 days after you move or change your name.  Since NJ's PD's don't comply with the 30 day statutory limit to issue cards, our cards need to remain valid until the PD's issue new ones.
• semi-auto shotguns with detachable mags will become illegal even if they don't have a second "evil feature" with no means for owners to come into compliance.  Bang- you're a felon, can't sell it, can't take it out of state, can't turn it in.
• " justifiable need" to get a handgun carry permit - which is being re-adopted.

 

 

The definition of "jusfiable need" to get a handgun carry permit basically says that you need to have an immediate need to use deadly force before you have the right to do so.  That's absurd.

 

But it was probably legal the last time the NJAC was adopted.  The court case "Sicardi" ruled that the second amendment didn't apply to state governements and that it didn't protect an individual right so the state can do whatever it wants to stop you from having a gun.  At the time, the second amendment had not been "incorporated to" the states.  It wasn't clear if it only prevented the federal government from infringing or if it also prevented state governments from infringing. 

 

It also wasn't clear if the second amendment protected an individual right or a corporate right of a state militia. 

 

All that has changed.  SCOTUS ruled very clearly in Heller and McDonald (2008 and 2010) that it is an individual right and that it applies to the states.   Justifiable need is now clearly unconstitutional.