Page 1 News For The Garden State Prsrt Std U.S. POSTAGE Outdoors Enthusiast PAID Newark, NJ Permit No. 973 Vol. 46, No. 5 May 2013 One Dollar Organized May 24, 1935. Serving All the Sportsmen & Women of NJ Counties: Atlantic - Bergen - Burlington - Camden - Cape May - Cumberland - Essex - Gloucester - Hudson - Hunterdon - Mercer - Middlesex - Monmouth - Morris - Ocean - Passaic - Salem - Somerset - Sussex - Union - Warren NJ FEDERATED SPORTSMEN NEWS Assoc. of Field Trial Clubs of NJ - NJ Bass Federation - Jersey Coast Anglers Assoc. - NJ Beach Buggy Assoc. - NJ Chap. of Nat. Wild Turkey Fed. - NJ Ducks Unlimited - NJ State Council Trout Unlimited - NJ Trappers Assoc. - NJ Waterfowlers Assoc. - United Bow Hunters of NJ NJ Senate Democrats Announce Comprehensive “Gun Safety Plan” “Among the bills in the package, is In the ongoing activities and contro- legislation that would: versies surrounding gun control in New “Disqualify those on the federal ‘no Jersey, the State Senate Democrats fly’ list from eligibility for gun permits; released a statement, parts of which are “Ban the sale of the .50 caliber excerpted below. (See www.njsendems.- Barrett assault weapon; com/release.asp?rid=4904 for full text.) “Upgrade penalties for the unlawful possession of a firearm on school grounds; “Senate President Steve Sweeney, “Upgrade penalties for gun dealers Senator Donald Norcross and Senate who knowingly sell to those who intend to Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg transfer the weapon to an ineligible person, announced on April 12 a comprehensive helping to combat straw sales that allow plan to protect against gun violence, criminals to get weapons; including a new electronic system for mits for handguns and hunting “‘We have witnessed too “Allow for the seizure and forfeiture instant background checks that will be a rifles into one, with the information many tragic cases of gun violence that of motor vehicles used in the illegal traf- national model for gun safety. The multi- encoded on the buyer’s driver’s license or have taken too many lives,’ said Senate ficking of firearms, disqualify gun traffick- bill package will be introduced in the state-issued identification card. The elec- Majority Leader Weinberg. ‘We won’t sur- ers from early release from prison and Senate on Monday. tronic process allows for instant back- render to this senseless violence. This is a require they serve at least 85 percent of “‘I worked with Majority Leader ground checks and real time reporting, comprehensive plan that goes after many terms before parole; Weinberg and Law and Public Safety immediately identifying those who aren’t of the factors that contribute to a level of “Establish a School Security Task Chairman Norcross, as well as advocates allowed to purchase firearms. violence that can’t be ignored and should- Force to find ways to make schools safe on both sides of the discussion, to compile “Other bills in the package will ban n’t be allowed.’ and secure; a package of bills that will serve as a the Barrett .50 caliber rifle, crack down on “The centerpiece of the package “Declare violence a health crisis, national model on gun safety,’ said Senate straw purchases, prohibit gun sales to would: which could qualify for federal funds; President Sweeney. ‘As we press ahead, I those on the federal “no fly” list, upgrade “Establish an electronic system of Create a commission to study violence and look forward to continuing this dialogue penalties for illegal gun trafficking, instant background checks for gun retail- mental health; with all sides. At the end of the day we all address mental health issues and study ers, combining the separate permits for “Prohibit state investments in compa- want the same thing: to provide safety and ways to improve school safety. handguns and hunting weapons into one. nies that manufacture, import or sell protection for our friends and family. “‘These bills will crack down on the The system would use motor vehicle assault rifles for civilian use; These bills will do just that, both through illegal trafficking of guns that end up in the licenses or state-issued ID cards encoded “Exempts firearms records from the common-sense and new innovative meas- hands of criminals and contribute to the with the buyer’s firearms ID information Open Public Records Act. Allows for ures.’ epidemic of street violence,’ said Senator in the database operated by the State Police reporting of aggregate information on gun “The centerpiece of the plan is legis- Donald Norcross, the sponsor of legisla- for permits for handguns and hunting permits approved or denied but not any lation sponsored by Senate President tion that would set tougher penalties for rifles; personal identifying information; and, Sweeney that will create an electronic sys- gun trafficking and create a study commis- “Require a photograph on the ID; “Changes from second-degree to tem for instant background checks for the sion on school security. ‘We have to do “Require safety training to qualify third-degree the crime of unlawful purpose purchase of firearms including a photo ID what we can to keep guns out of the hands for firearms permit; when the weapon is a BB gun.” for purchases. The bill also requires the of violent criminals, to make our streets “Criminalize the purchase and pos- Predictably, various organizations immediate revocation of gun permits at safer and our schools more secure.’ session of ammunition by those convicted and individuals expressed some opposition criminal sentencing and for those ordered “The bills would also prevent con- of certain crimes; to many of these. Frank Virgilio, President into involuntary commitment, prohibits the victed gun traffickers from being eligible “Require a valid firearms ID for the of the NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s purchase or possession of ammunition by for early release from prison, confiscate purchase of ammunition; and, Clubs, said in a telephone interview, “The those with criminal convictions and motor vehicles used to illegally transport “Mandate the revocation of gun per- Federation has been working with both the requires safety training to obtain a firearms guns and impose stricter penalties for the mits at sentencing for those convicted of a Association of NJ Rifle and Pistol Clubs permit. unlawful possession of a firearm on school crime and for those ordered into involun- “The new system combines the per- grounds. tary commitment. see Gun Legislation, p. 5 be claimed should a hunter end a day of accused of animal cruelty pay a seizure Other Pending Legislation rabbit hunting with a beagle having blood- bond up front or lose their animals. Neither ied ears from tracking through thorns and bill has any method for restitution if a per- thicket. Plus, payment of any fine is son is found “not guilty.” Worth Your Attention acceptance of one’s guilt, which has addi- Reichman said, “It used to be that a tional ramifications.” person is innocent until proven guilty, but The sportsmen and women of New organization; instead its focus is ensuring Reichman pointed out that such guilt it seems that the U.S. Constitution can be Jersey have been busy dealing with over animal welfare and the proper treatment of could take away a person’s choice to own easily dispensed with in New Jersey. 70 bills dealing with gun laws. While you animals, something all sportsmen and animals. Examples are found in bills Fortunately, for those living in Kentucky, a have been distracted, your legislators have women can support. The mission of NAIA A1933/S580, which would make it illegal US District Court determined a similar been busy trying to pass bills that would is to promote the welfare of animals, to for a person found guilty or civilly liable to seizure bond was unconstitutional.” also interfere with how you keep your ani- strengthen the human-animal bond, and own another animal in NJ. The bills also She further detailed bills that revise mals. safeguard the rights of responsible animal set up an animal abuser’s registry. animal cruelty statutes such as According to Barb Reichman, the owners. Another bill, A3303 (known as S928/A2039, bills that are against cruel National Animal Interest Alliance repre- NAIA closely monitors bills that may Moose’s Law and already passed by the restraint (including tethering for any sentative to the NJ Outdoors Alliance negatively impact pet ownership, includ- Assembly, with no companion bill in the amount of time on a lead less than 15 feet) Conservation Foundation, “A few New ing pets used by sportsmen and women for Senate as this goes to press) makes it ille- S1497, S209, and S2360/A3554, and sev- Jersey legislators have been busy trying to outdoors pursuits. NAIA suggests that we gal for animal-related businesses to eral imposing additional penalties includ- pass bills that would interfere with owner- pay special attention to anti-pet ownership employ a person found guilty of cruelty. ing bills A3900, A3903, A3904, and ship and possession of our animals. bills being sponsored in Trenton. The bill also makes it illegal for the viola- A3905. Of these bills, seven mandate men- Currently, there are 29 bills targeting ani- Reichman states, “Bill A2694 is tor to own an animal for at least two years tal health treatment for a person found mal cruelty. On the surface these bills may designed to change the definition of cruel- and requires an animal abuser registry, guilty or being civilly liable. (The text and seem to be reasonable, but they are being ty to include ‘failure to provide minimum which is made available for public inspec- status of all these may be found at promoted by animal rights organizations, care.’ While I’m sure that we all agree that tion on the Internet.