Senate Democrats Propose Instant Background Checks for Gun Buyers

New Jersey would create a new instant criminal background check system for gun buyers, require safety training to obtain a firearms permit and toughen penalties on gun traffickers under legislation announced Friday by state senate Democrats.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Law and Public Safety Chairman Donald Norcross are set to introduce the multi-bill package Monday. 

"I worked with Majority Leader Weinberg and Law and Public Safety Chairman Norcross, as well as advocates on both sides of the discussion, to compile a package of bills that will serve as a national model on gun safety," Sweeney said in a statement. 

The "centerpiece" of the legislation would establish the instant background check system, combining permits for handguns and hunting weapons into one, according to a news release. The legislation would create a photo ID for gun buyers as part of the system. 

"The system would use motor vehicle licenses or state-issued ID cards encoded with the buyer’s firearms ID information in the database operated by the State Police for permits for handguns and hunting rifles," the release said. 

Other measures would mandate gun permits be immediately revoked at criminal sentencing and for anyone ordered into involuntary commitment, and bar anyone with criminal convictions from possessing and purchasing ammunition. 

The legislation would also ban sale of the .50 caliber Barrett assault weapon, prohibit those on the federal “no fly” list from buying guns and upgrade penalties for various firearms trafficking offenses. 

State investments in companies that "manufacture, import or sell assault rifles for civilian use" would also be blocked. 

“We have witnessed too many tragic cases of gun violence that have taken too many lives,” Weinberg said in a statement. “We won’t surrender to this senseless violence. This is a comprehensive plan that goes after many of the factors that contribute to a level of violence that can’t be ignored and shouldn’t be allowed.”

The senate's legislation came two months after the state Assembly approved 22 gun control measures, including a controversial plan to have authorities seize firearms based reports from mental healthcare professionals. That measure was not among the senate's bill package. 

The Assembly's proposed 10 round limit on magazines was also not included the senate proposal. 

Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs Executive Director Scott Bach told the Star-Ledger he didn't see a need for more gun laws. 

“New Jersey already has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation," Bach told the newspaper. "More of the same will not stop another criminal or madman – their only impact is on the law-abiding.”