VICTORY: Everytown, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action Applaud New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Lawmakers For Passing Gun Safety Legislation Strengthening Licensing Laws and Establishing Sensitive Locations

Moms Demand Action Volunteers Sent Over 1,200 Emails To Lawmakers 

The New Jersey chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and state lawmakers for passing legislation that will address the new dangers created by the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This legislation strengthens the state’s firearm licensing laws and establishes a robust list of sensitive locations where guns may not be carried, including playgrounds, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, train stations, and polling places. Since the Bruen decision, New Jersey joins New York in passing legislation that addresses some of the most harmful outcomes of the Supreme Court’s ruling.  

 “After the Supreme Court’s flawed Bruen decision we were not going to just stand by and allow guns to be carried in places like daycare centers, parks, concert and sporting venues, or train stations,” said Kathleen Dolan, a volunteer with the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Where the Supreme Court failed us — New Jersey lawmakers have succeeded in putting the safety of our communities above anything else. We are proud to have worked with the Legislature to get this bill passed before the New Year and look forward to continuing to take proactive safety measures to protect our state from gun violence.” 

“While the Supreme Court majority is handing down decisions that will put more guns on the street, lawmakers in New Jersey and elsewhere are listening to their constituents and passing common-sense laws to protect public safety in public spaces,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Governor Murphy and the New Jersey legislature for taking action to safeguard their communities, and we urge other states to follow their lead.” 

“When the Supreme Court ruled in the interest of ‘guns everywhere’ extremists, they failed to recognize the power of our grassroots movement and the millions of people who have the common sense to know that more guns don’t make us safe,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “I applaud the New Jersey legislature and Governor Murphy for standing up for the safety of our communities and the tireless work that our New Jersey chapter has done to get this bill passed and signed into law before the New Year.” 

The Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen struck down an important provision of New York State’s concealed carry permitting law that required an individual to prove they had “proper cause” to carry concealed firearms in public. The Bruen decision dangerously lowered the bar for who can carry guns in public, not only in New York but in states like New Jersey that had similar provisions in their law. This legislation responds to the heightened risk created by the Court’s ruling by setting strong minimum standards for who may carry concealed guns in public and creating clear rules on where guns are prohibited. 

In an average year, 439 people are killed by guns in New Jersey and another 874 are wounded. Gun violence costs New Jersey $5.3 billion each year, of which $168.9 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in New Jersey is available here.