ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 277

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 9, 2021

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Supports Governor's call to reconvene "States for Gun Safety" Summit and calls for summit to reconvene as soon as it is safe for participants to attend.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Assembly Resolution supporting the Governor's call to reconvene the "States for Gun Safety" Summit and calling for the summit to be reconvened as soon as it is safe for participants to attend.

 

Whereas, While New Jersey has the sixth-lowest gun death rate in the nation, more than 400 New Jersey residents are still killed with a gun each year, according to the Giffords Law Center; and

Whereas, Gun violence has a disproportionate impact on communities of color and exposure to gun violence can cause lasting trauma in young people, according to the Giffords Law Center; and

Whereas, New Jersey was poised to host a multi-state summit in Newark in 2020 on gun safety issues; and

Whereas, This summit was a first of its kind event organized by a coalition of states that formed three years ago in response to persistent inaction on gun control at the federal level; and

Whereas, The multi-state effort has involved sharing of data among the member states, including the exchange of information about illegal trafficking and persons disqualified from owning firearms; and

Whereas, The summit was expected to draw governors and officials from New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, Governor Murphy is commended for calling the "States for Gun Safety" Summit in an effort to reduce the epidemic of gun violence; and

Whereas, The summit should be reconvened as soon as it is safe for participants to attend, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    This House supports Governor Murphy's call to reconvene the "States for Gun Safety" Summit and calls for the summit to be reconvened as soon as it is safe for participants to attend, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

     2.    Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor of New Jersey.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This Assembly resolution supports the Governor's call to
reconvene the "States for Gun Safety" Summit and calls for the summit to reconvene as soon as it is safe for participants to attend, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic.

     While New Jersey has the sixth-lowest gun death rate in the nation, more than 400 New Jersey residents are still killed with a gun each year, according to the Giffords Law Center. 

     New Jersey was poised to host a multi-state summit in Newark in 2020 on gun safety issues.  This summit was a first of its kind event organized by a coalition of states that formed three years ago in response to persistent inaction on gun control at the federal level.

     The summit was expected to draw governors and officials from New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     Governor Murphy is commended for calling the "States for Gun Safety" Summit in an effort to reduce the epidemic of gun violence.

     The summit should be reconvened as soon as it is safe for participants to attend, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic.