Gov. Phil Murphy Signs Gun Safety Bill in Scotch Plains

“Designed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling, this common-sense law works to protect the public safety of the more than nine million residents of our state,” said NJ Assembly Speaker Coughlin. “By ensuring responsible concealed carry with thorough vetting and appropriate training, we are standing up for victims of gun violence and helping to prevent future tragedies.”

Under the new law, the list of sensitive places where concealed carry is not permissible includes the following three categories (a complete list is included in the law):

High-density locations

• Entertainment venues, including stadiums, arenas, amusement parks, casinos, racetracks, and publicly owned libraries and museum;
• Youth sporting events and other recreational facilities, such as public parks, beaches, and playground;
• Bars, restaurants where alcohol is served, and any other locations that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption; and
• Airports and public transportation hubs.

Locations with vulnerable populations

• Schools, colleges, and universities;
• Daycare and child-care facilities;
• Hospitals and health care facilities, long-term care facilities and nursing homes;
• Correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, halfway houses, and homeless shelters.

Locations with governmental and First Amendment activity

• Polling places;
• Courthouses;
• Law enforcement stations and offices;
• Government buildings and locations with government meetings; and
• Demonstrations, protests, and licensed public gatherings.

In addition to these three categories, this law sets a default rule that firearms cannot be carried on private property, including homes, businesses, stores, and houses of worship, unless the property owner expressly communicates permission through express consent or specific signage. The only exceptions to these rules are for law enforcement officers or private security guards. Further, the law will strengthen permit requirements by expanding ineligibility for a carry permit to the following groups:

• Persons with an outstanding arrest warrant for an indictable offense;
• Persons subject to certain restraining orders, including persons who have violated either a temporary or a final restraining order;
• Persons subject to restraining orders in other jurisdictions; and
• Persons subject to voluntary admissions to mental institutions or hospitals.

The bill also makes for a more vigorous carry permit application process. Applicants must now include four endorsements of character from non-related persons. Upon submission of their application, applicants and their endorsers must now be interviewed by law enforcement to determine whether the applicant is likely to engage in conduct that would result in harm to themselves or others.

Further, New Jersey now becomes the first state in the nation to require all permit carriers to maintain and provide proof of liability insurance with coverage for at least $300,000 on account of injury, death, or damage to property arising out of ownership, maintenance, operation, or use of a firearm. The bill also increases the handgun permit application fee to $25 from $2, the amount it has been since 1966.

"My most sacred responsibility as governor is protecting the welfare of all 9.3 million people who proudly call our state home," said Murphy. "This responsibility includes doing all that I can to protect our residents from senseless gun violence and to help law enforcement in keeping our community safe."

Murphy signed A4769/S3214 Thursday to deliver on a promise he made in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision when he unveiled a comprehensive legislative proposal to maintain New Jersey’s status as a model for gun safety by strengthening restrictions for who is eligible for a public carry permit, and establishing a list of places where people with carry permits cannot bring their firearms.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the N.Y. State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case that it is impermissible to require applicants in New York to show “proper cause” to carry a handgun in public, which had the effect of invalidating New Jersey's longstanding laws restricting public carry to those who could demonstrate a "justifiable need." Less than 24 hours later, Gov. Murphy unveiled a comprehensive proposal that, consistent with Bruen, would strengthen the statutory disqualifiers for those eligible for a carry permit, while significantly expanding the list of sensitive places where individuals cannot carry firearms.

The governor expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies for also supporting the bill.