New Jersey Passes Bill Requiring Nonexistent 'Smart Guns'

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 11/19/02 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - The New Jersey Assembly Monday passed a "Childproof Handgun Bill" requiring all pistols sold in the state to eventually include safety features intended to prevent children and other unauthorized people from firing a weapon.

The bill now returns to the New Jersey Senate, which passed a similar measure in October. The bill, once reconciled, will go to Gov. Jim McGreevey, who says he will sign it.

A spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said the bill requiring "smart gun" technology will have "a profound impact on the safety of our children for generations to come."

The Brady Campaign is demanding that other states follow New Jersey's lead in mandating smart-gun technology, which (theoretically) would allow only the owner of a gun to fire it.

But Second Amendment supporters see such laws as just another effort to regulate gun sales. They note that smart-gun technology doesn't even exist yet. When and if it does exist, it would significantly drive up the price of pistols.

The bill passed Monday requires "smart gun" technology on all guns sold in New Jersey three years after the technology is developed and approved by the state attorney general.

Press reports say Gov. McGreevey flip-flopped on the bill - at first opposing it and even working secretly with the National Rifle Association to bottle it up in committee. But when gun-control groups found out, he had a change of heart, those reports said.

In a statement released Monday, McGreevey said, "This administration remains committed to keeping dangerous weapons off of our streets and keeping our communities safe for our children. To that end, we will continue to support strong, sensible gun laws. I look forward to signing the smart gun legislation into law."

Even some Democrats who voted for the Childproof Handgun Bill admitted it's hard to approve something that doesn't exist yet.

But other liberals praised New Jersey lawmakers. Carole Stiller, president of the Million Mom March of New Jersey, said, "It's time for gun manufacturers to change their ways." According to Stiller, the bill passed Monday is just the kind of "commonsense" legislation that will save lives.

But Second Amendment supporters say there's no way to make any gun completely "safe." In fact, some wonder if smart-gun technology will backfire, making a gun inoperable in cases where self-defense could mean the difference between life and death.

 

[upier]

First remember that it is National Ammo Day. So go out and buy as much amunition as you can.

This bill is a direct assult on the 2nd amendment. If the technology claims to be acheiched the Law will be invoked. If later it is found that it doesn't work and is scrapped, no guns will be able to be sold since they won't have the technology that was approved. Now you have made guns illegal for sale in NJ.

Ask your local cops how many of them would risk their lives on this type of technology.

[genefromjersey]

You folks haven't seen ANYTHING yet !!!

The next step is "smart" scissors , "smart" baseball bats...smart EVERYTHING ...except Legislators.

[goldstategop]

A smart politician is a true oxymoron.

[from occupied ga]

The next step is "smart" scissors , "smart" baseball bats...smart EVERYTHING ...except Legislators

Nope. Once guns are removed from the Peoples' Democracy of New Jersey, the communists who run the state and their accomplices will be happy.

Everyone who doesn't live on Mars and telecommute should realize by now that gun control is about being unable to effectively defend yourself against government. Once the guns are gone you can no longer defend yourself, and the politicians and bureaucrats will then be able to micromanage every single aspect of your life with no fear of reprisal, comrade.

[Constitutional Patriot]

I only found out about this yesterday...when I received my NRA Legislative Alert post card. I think the NRA should know that it would be more effective to receive such notices PRIOR to the day the legislation is being voted on. I honestly don't believe any amount of phone call or letters to the schmucks in Trenton would have made a difference. The NJ legislature is controlled by left-wing liberals (same caliber or worse as the sh*theads seated on the Supreme Court of NJ). The legislature has their own agenda and does not care about what their constituents want. It's like living in North Korea except we have more food and our roads are a little better

People should also remember that the so called "smart gun" technology is not only a sleazy, underhanded attempt to prevent law abiding citizens from acquiring firearms, it is also a boon to the dirtbag trial lawyers who will be chomping at the bit to sue gun manufacturers in product liability suits once the technology craps out and people get hurt.

Any conservative freepers in NJ would be well advised to make plans to get out of the most politically corrupt state in the country before the legislature decides to build a wall from New York to Delaware. I like PA myself. I know they (Philly) just elected a dem governor, but it is a state that respects property rights, low taxes in many areas and has excellent firearms freedoms.

[GirlShortstop]

A spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said the bill ... will have "a profound impact on the safety of our children for generations to come."

ahhhh... how righteous the despotic exercises if it's for the children.     </sarcasm off>

I'm soon going to need to request a prayer thread for those of us in Nuts  New Jersey.

[goldstategop]

Its fitting this stupid bill was passed in the same state that just elected a walking cadaver to the U.S Senate.

[from occupied ga]

, low taxes in many areas and has excellent firearms freedoms.

Actually a recent study showed that PA had one of the highest tax burdens in the USA with property taxes being the big killer. Dunno about firearms freedoms, It has to be better than NY and NJ

[bandleader]

This is a tried and true tecnique practiced by"The Grabbers"!Keep raising the bar higher and higher so that there is no such thing as a "Safe Gun"!!And ALWAYS infer that it's for"The CHiiiiiiiiiiiiiLDren"!!!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Immediately afterwards the New Jersey Assembly voted to establish a mandatory minimum scale for payments made by the Tooth Fairy.

[genefromjersey]

Well, we're thinking of changing the name to NEW NANNY and our State Bird will be Mother Goose , instead of the Goldfinch.

I don't know if it made the news over your way, but our schools are starting to ban games like " Tag " ( An excuse for bullying ! Others children feel crowded ! ),and are removing see-saws, and other things kids love to play on. (Too much chance of injury ! Too many lawsuits from parents ! ) We've already outlawed any sort of game in which the fingers are " pointed in a threatening manner...