An Act requiring a study of firearms violence and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Firearms violence is a public health crisis in New Jersey and throughout the United States.

b. On average, 89 people die in the United States every day from firearms violence.

c. According to FBI crime reports for 2013 and 2014, the most recent years for which data are available, over 72 percent of murders in New Jersey were committed using firearms.

d. Despite the inordinate number of deaths attributable to firearms violence, very little scientific research has been performed during the past two decades to identify effective ways of reducing firearms violence, in part, as a result of federal legislative provisions and a lack of federal funding.

e. In the face of this public health crisis, scientists have urged Congress to facilitate research on firearms violence and prevention. Recently, over 2,000 doctors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia signed a petition urging Congress to remove barriers to research that have existed for nearly 20 years, and provide annual funding to identify causes of and ways to prevent firearms violence.

f. Obtaining scientific data about firearms violence and its prevention is critical to effectively addressing the harm this public health crisis inures on the citizens of this State.

g. In order to protect the citizens of New Jersey, a study should be undertaken to identify the root causes of firearms violence and to recommend effective firearms violence prevention policies and programs.

2. a. University Behavioral Health Care of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, shall conduct a comprehensive firearms violence study to research firearms-related violence. Specifically, the study shall examine the following:

(1) The nature of firearms violence, including individual and societal determinants of risk for involvement in firearms violence, whether as a victim or a perpetrator;

(2) The individual, community, and societal consequences of firearms violence; and

(3) Prevention and treatment of firearms violence at the individual, community, and societal levels.

b. The study shall utilize a variety of research methods with a mission to provide the scientific evidence on which sound firearms violence prevention policies and programs can be based. The research shall extend to firearms violence as a form of terrorism.

c. University Behavioral Health Care shall work on a continuing basis with policymakers in the Legislature and State agencies to identify, implement, and evaluate innovative firearms violence prevention policies and programs.

d. To assist in ensuring a long-term and successful effort to understand and prevent firearms violence, University Behavioral Health Care shall recruit and provide specialized training opportunities for researchers, including experienced investigators in related fields with expertise in firearms violence, investigators who have completed their education, postdoctoral scholars, doctoral students, and undergraduates.

e. In addition to any appropriations provided, University Behavioral Health Care may also seek additional federal, State, and private funding to be used to conduct firearms violence research pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill requires University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, to undertake a comprehensive firearms violence study to research firearms-related violence. Specifically, the study shall examine the nature of firearms violence, including individual and societal determinants of risk for involvement in firearms violence, whether as a victim or a perpetrator; the individual, community, and societal consequences of firearms violence; and prevention and treatment of firearms violence at the individual, community, and societal levels.

The study is to utilize a variety of research methods with a mission to provide the scientific evidence on which sound firearms violence prevention policies and programs can be based. The research is to extend to firearms violence as a form of terrorism.

The bill requires UBHC to work with policymakers in the Legislature and State agencies in performing the study and to recruit and provide specialized training opportunities for researchers, including experienced investigators in related fields who work on firearms violence, investigators who have completed their education, postdoctoral scholars, doctoral students, and undergraduates.

The bill also provides that in addition to any appropriation that may be provided to UBHC, the university is authorized to seek additional federal, State, and private funds to conduct this research.