Majority Leader Greenwald Leads Round Table on Gun Violence Prevention Strategies

(VOORHEES) – Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D- Camden, Burlington) today joined Governor Phil Murphy and representatives from gun safety organizations to discuss gun violence in New Jersey and reforms needed to ensure the safety of all New Jerseyans.

“Throughout my time in the Assembly, I’ve worked to keep our communities safe from gun violence. I’ve sponsored legislation to lower magazine capacity to 10 rounds, supported smart gun production and sales in state, worked to create gun buyback programs, and pushed for stronger background checks,” said Majority Leader Greenwald. “I am proud to have an ally like Governor Murphy working hand in hand with the legislature as we work to end gun violence and ensure New Jersey is a safe place.”

The Governor and Majority Leader were joined by Mayor Chuck Cahn, of Cherry Hill Township; Dolores Phillips, Legislative Director for Ceasefire NJ; Carole Stiller of the Brady Campaign; Nico Bocour, State Legislative Director for Giffords; Jeff Shacket from the Jewish federation council; Brian McGinnis, a local attorney and gun safety advocate; Kelly Adams, Everytown Gun Safety; Cherry Hill Police Chief Monaghan, Lynn Hoag from Moms Demand Action and Reverend Bob Moore of the Coalition for Peace Action.

“I want to thank Majority Leader Greenwald for his tireless efforts to bring sensible gun reforms to New Jersey,” Governor Murphy said. “Together, we can pass the laws that Governor Christie vetoed and reclaim our place as a state that acts on facts and common sense. We must again become a state that values the safety of our residents and communities over the misguided priorities of the gun lobby.”

Governor Murphy’s administration recently announced its intention to rescind a Christie-era regulation that expanded concealed carry regulations, something Majority Leader Greenwald has been fighting since its introduction.

“Giffords is honored to participate in today’s roundtable discussion on the importance of addressing gun violence prevention,” said Nico Bocour, State Legislative Director at Giffords. “We applaud Governor Phil Murphy and Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald for leading this conversation, and for having the courage to take action to protect New Jersey families and communities from gun violence.”

Majority Leader Greenwald has long been an advocate for gun safety and met with the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2013 after their devastating losses. He has introduced many pieces of gun safety legislation this session, including bills to lower high magazine capacity, codify justifiable need for concealed carry permits, and require background checks for private gun sales.

The full synopses of those bills are below:

• A2761 – Reduces maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds; exempts firearms with .22 caliber tubular magazines from 10 round limitation.
• A2758 – Codifies regulations defining justifiable need to carry handgun.
• A2757 – Requires background check for private gun sales.
• A2759 – Prohibits possession of ammunition capable of penetrating body armor
• A2760 – Revises definition of destructive device to include certain weapons of 50 caliber or greater.