New Jersey Administrative Code
Title - EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Title 55 - CHRIS CHRISTIE
Section - Executive Order No. 299 (2022)

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024

Governor Philip D. Murphy

Executive Order No. 299 (2022)

An Order Directing State Departments and Agencies to Identify Gun Violence Prevention Measures

Issued: June 24, 2022.

Effective: June 24, 2022.

WHEREAS, in New York Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, No. 20-843 (2022), a conservative majority on the United States Supreme Court has invalidated New York's "proper cause" requirement for obtaining a permit to carry a handgun in public; and

WHEREAS, this deeply flawed decision will increase the proliferation of guns in our communities and our streets and make our nation less safe; and

WHEREAS, although the Supreme Court's decision impacts New Jersey's justifiable-need requirement, other requirements of N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 for obtaining a carry permit in New Jersey remain unaffected, including approval by the relevant law enforcement officer and Superior Court that the applicant is of good character, is not subject to any of the disabilities set forth in section c. of N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3, and is thoroughly familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey's commonsense firearms safety laws have resulted in the State having one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the country; and

WHEREAS, nonetheless, over 5,000 New Jerseyans have been killed by gun violence in the past decade; and

WHEREAS the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York are just two of the more than 250 mass shootings in the United States in 2022; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey has not been immune to mass shooting events, including one in May 2021 that left three dead and eleven wounded; and

WHEREAS, gun violence is a public health crisis in this State and across the nation; and

WHEREAS, protecting New Jersey residents and visitors from gun violence is of paramount importance; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of New Jerseyans do not support relaxing restrictions on who may carry a gun in public; and

WHEREAS, state agencies have existing authority to issue regulations to reduce gun violence and enhance firearms safety, including regulating the carrying of firearms in certain locations, such as public places, government property, and sensitive locations; and

WHEREAS, there exists a compelling state interest for the State to coordinate activities of its agencies and to use available legal authority to decrease the risk of gun violence wherever possible; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Law and Public Safety has been leading comprehensive, state-wide efforts to reduce gun violence; and

WHEREAS, under my Administration, the State of New Jersey will continue to serve as a national model for commonsense and effective gun safety policies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT: