115-18 Supporting Pending Gun Control Legislation.pdf

115-18 May 8, 2018 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, gun violence and gun related crime constitutes a grave public concern that affects the public health and safety of people throughout the United States and the State of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, according to statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention there were 485 firearm deaths in the State of New Jersey in 2016, 475 firearm deaths in the State of New Jersey in 2015, and 468 firearm deaths in the State of New Jersey in 2014; and WHEREAS, the New Jersey State Assembly passed six (6) bills to strengthen gun control laws in the State of New Jersey (the “Gun Control Legislation”); and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation includes Assembly Bill A2758 which would strengthen the standards to obtain a permit to carry a handgun; and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation also includes Assembly Bill A2761 which would lower the cap from fifteen (15) to ten (10) on the number of rounds allowed in a single magazine; and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation also includes Assembly Bill A1217 creating a specially designed gun violence restraining order that would allow a person’s weapons seized and/or a person prohibited from purchasing firearms for up to one year if they present a threat to themselves or others; and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation also includes Assembly Bill A1181 which would allow law enforcement officers to seize weapons from a person determined by a mental health professional to pose a threat of serious harm to the patient or others; and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation also includes Assembly Bill A2757 which would require background checks on private gun sales within the State of New Jersey; and

2 WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation also includes Assembly Bill A2759 which would ban armor piercing bullets; and WHEREAS, the Gun Control Legislation is now before the New Jersey State Senate for consideration; and WHEREAS, the Township seeks to support the passage and adoption of the Gun Control Legislation into law. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, that the Township hereby urges New Jersey State Senate to pass and adopt the Gun Control Legislation; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Township also urges Governor Phil Murphy to sign into law the Gun Control Legislation; and be it further RESOLVED, the Township Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to New Jersey State Senator and former Governor Richard Codey, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, New Jersey State Assemblyman John F. McKeon, and Governor Phil Murphy; and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be made available in the Clerk’s office in accordance with applicable law. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C. Susan McCartney Municipal Clerk Council President Adopted: May 8, 2018 4821-3689-0979, v. 1