Smart Gun Bill, Minus Technology, Will Become Law in NJ
By Jeff McKay
CNSNews.com Correspondent
December 17, 2002

(CNSNews.com) - With a 29-5 vote in the state Senate, New Jersey lawmakers have ensured that the state will become the first in the nation to require that all guns sold inside its borders be equipped with so-called "smart gun" technology. The technology, which doesn't exist yet, would prevent anyone but the recognized user from firing, according to supporters of the bill.

Some question whether the smart gun innovations will ever be created, and whether lives will be lost as a result of such a failure.

New Jersey's Childproof Handgun Bill will require all handguns sold in the state to be childproofed, that is, when the state attorney general determines that childproof handguns are available for consumers.

The bill makes clear that once the user-identification technology becomes available, it would become a requirement within three years.

Smart gun technology would involve an automatic mechanism such as a computer chip that recognizes authorized users and prevents anyone else from firing the gun.

Gun control advocates hail the measure as a way to stop gun violence. Supporters believe the new law would reduce the number of accidental deaths and suicides involving younger family members, along with rendering weapons useless if they are stolen.

"This is a great day for the children of the state and their parents and grandparents. I expect the governor will recognize that fact," said Bryan Miller, executive director of Ceasefire NJ. "It will, for the first time, legislate that the gun industry make their products as safe as they can."

"This is a groundbreaking victory. New Jersey is leading the country on protecting children from guns," said Michael D. Barnes, president of the Brady Campaign. "Since Congress has failed to enact sensible gun laws, it is up to states like New Jersey to take direct and positive action to prevent gun violence and to protect our children."

Detractors of the bill look to the new law as dangerous and restrictive on individual rights.

"Who knows if it's even going to work properly? It's not such an easy technology to develop," said Nancy Ross, spokesperson for the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, an official NRA state organization. "It's a political bill. The legislature voting for something that doesn't exist is foolish legislation."

The Senate turned back an effort by Republican Sen. Gerald Cardinale to allow standard handguns to be used in competitive shooting matches, a measure sanctioned by the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs.

"This is a waste of time," said Cardinale, who voted against the bill. "It's purely political. [This law] really doesn't do anything."

Richard Miller, chairman of the Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen, calls the measure "a waste of time."

"You can't convince anybody that this is anything but a political move," said Miller. "The technology does not exist."

There is also the fear that those who violate the law could take advantage of those who follow the rules.

"What if an intruder comes into my home when I'm not there? Imagine your wife protecting her children and herself and the gun she's holding won't fire. The gun I own is for protecting myself and my family," said Jack Gaines, a truck driver and state resident. "I thought the Constitution said we have the right to bear arms?"

Gun control has been a popular cause in New Jersey, which passed one of the nation's first and strictest bans on assault weapons in 1990.

Gun control became one of the key issues of this fall's U.S. Senate campaign, when Sen.-elect Frank Lautenberg repeatedly attacked his Republican challenger, Doug Forrester, who said New Jersey gun laws were strict enough and that no new federal gun-control laws were needed.

Following Monday's Senate passage, the bill next heads for the desk of Gov. Jim McGreevey (D), who has already promised to sign it into law. The bill had previously passed the Democratic-dominated state Assembly 47-11.

Other states, including New York, Ohio, and Tennessee have introduced similar bills, but they have not been approved.

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