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NJ Assembly Panel Advances Bill To Ban Bump Stocks

New Jersey Statehouse

New Jersey is considering banning the sale and possession of a firearm accessory that was used in the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas two months ago.

Bump stocks can allow semiautomatic weapons to fire more rapidly. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano says that puts law enforcement and residents in greater danger.

“There’s no need for bump stocks as accessories to be anywhere in New Jersey. The state of New Jersey bans bump stocks for a reason, they’re weapons of war.”

Dolores Phillips with the Ceasefire New Jersey gun control group supports the measure.

“We are not under any illusion that this bill will solve mass shootings. We are not under illusion that the amount of gun violence that we are witnessing every day will be ameliorated by this. But it is and step forward, and that is the key.”

Rob Nixon with the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs questions the need for the legislation.

“These are items that are already prohibited under New Jersey law because they feature two offense features as they’re called, the telescoping stock and the pistol grip. So there really isn’t a whole lot for this bill to do.”

The Assembly Law and Public Safety committee voted to advance the bill. 

Violators of the proposed ban could be sentenced to three-to-five years in prison and be fined as much as $15,000.