Posted on 09/13/2004 10:39:07 AM PDT by ZULU
McGreevey Directs Attorney General to Address Lapse of Federal Assault Weapons Ban
New Jersey still has the toughest and most comprehensive ban in the United States, but the availability of assault weapons elsewhere could create an enhanced danger in the Garden State
(HAMILTON) – Governor James E. McGreevey today signed an executive order directing Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to convene a task force that will respond to issues raised by the expiration of the federal assault weapons ban.
The Federal law, signed in 1994 by President Clinton, included a clause that would allow it to expire today – 10 years after its enactment – if Congress failed to renew it. It appears that the Federal government will allow the ban to lapse today.
That lapse will not change New Jersey’s own ban on assault weapons, which was enacted earlier – in 1990 – and is still the toughest and most comprehensive assault weapons ban in the United States.
“New Jersey’s ban on assault weapons is still the strongest in the Nation. But with the lapse of the Federal ban, these deadly weapons will be readily available nearly everywhere else in the United States. Only six other states have their own laws banning these weapons. After today, Uzis and AK-47s will be readily available in 43 other States,” Governor McGreevey said. “We have already seen a problem in which guns purchased in other States surface in crimes committed in New Jersey. And now, law enforcement officials are expressing their concern that assault weapons purchased elsewhere will wind up in the hands of criminals on our streets,” the Governor continued.
“Assault weapons like Uzis and AK-47s have no legitimate civilian use. They are used by drug dealers, gun-runners and other violent criminals. New Jersey’s ban and the Federal on these weapons was never about denying the rights of hunters and collectors. It is about protecting our citizens – particularly our law enforcement officers, the men and women who put their lives on the line every day,” the Governor said. “If the Federal government fails to act, New Jersey must act to keep our police and citizens safe.”
Assault weapons are military weapons. Their hallmarks include a high ammunition capacity; features to enhance control during rapid firing; and devices that make them easier to conceal or carry. The Governor pointed out that these features make assault weapons useful for committing crimes, but provide no legitimate use except military use. Their use by criminals – and their ability to pierce body armor – makes these weapons especially dangerous to law enforcement officers.
FBI data shows that one in five law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon. More than 75 percent of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty with a rifle were killed with an assault rifle.
With the lapse of the Federal ban, it will still be illegal to buy an assault rifle in another State and bring it to New Jersey. But the concern among law enforcement officials is that, with more assault weapons available nationwide, more assault weapons will be able to make their way illegally into the Garden State.
New Jersey’s own tough gun laws have helped keep the State safer than other states. In 2000 there were 341 gun deaths in New Jersey, compared with 1,093 in New York and 1,256 in Pennsylvania.
But, even with both bans active, assault weapons have managed to find their way into New Jersey. State Police data compiled between May 30, 1990 and October 31, 2003, show New Jersey has seen 1,219 criminal offenses involving assault weapons, including 29 murders, 177 armed robberies and 116 aggravated assaults.
The Governor acknowledged that there is no quick and easy solution to the dangers posed by the lapse of the Federal ban. But the executive order he signed today will get a solution started, the Governor said.
The order directs Attorney General Harvey to convene a task force with representatives from all relevant segments of the law enforcement community, including prosecutors, police and sheriff’s departments, and other agencies. The task force will work with the Attorney General to craft a plan to address issues raised by the lapse of the Federal ban.
In developing the plan, the Attorney General and the task force will review current State laws and policies to see what changes are needed to address the increased threat. The plan may include legislative changes, including enhanced penalties or other measures against gun smuggling.
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=2138
New Jersey, with its "tough" gun control has a higher crime rate the neighboring Pennsylvania, with its "loose" gun laws...
K*nt!
McGreevy is just dying to say: "Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?" Why is he still NJ's governor?
Kind of a paradox, huh --- NOT.
Another way to say the same thing is to say that most armed criminals prefer handguns.
"FBI data shows that one in five law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon."
That's news to me.
Hey Homo McGreedy, what weapon is not deadly.
What dows McGreevy do with a 12 inch barrel anyway.
...like our AG, who is a believer, is going to listen to a sphincter boy's lies about what is and isn't automatic or semi-automatic.
What they mean is that 25% of the cops killed with rifles were killed with non-assault rifles.
Obviously if we just banned all rifles no cops would be killed by rifles, assault or otherwise. /sarcasm
McGreevey Directs Attorney General to Address Lapse of differentiating between, "this is my rifle, this my gun" as he made a playful grab for his gun.
This would be funny, if it were not so pathetic. And how many were killed by non "assault weapons"? My son is a tier three karate black belt. I consider HIM an assault weapon.
Fag.
Let us not forget Republican Christie Whitman's contribution.
After Florio's defeat, the NJ state legislature repealed the Florio ban. She vetoed the repeal and worked to break up the override attempt.
Which country is he spreaking about? IRAQ?
It must be because according to the NCIC & FBI sources only 0.0001% of all crimes had anything to do with violence with an ASSAULT WEAPON!!
It all depends on your definition of "assault weapon"... and liberals just looooove to tinker with word meanings to fit their agenda.
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