TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Democrats vowed Tuesday to fight Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to loosen restrictions on citizens seeking gun carry permits.
Christie announced Monday night that officials can now consider evidence of “serious threats” that are not directed specifically at a person when they consider permit applications. The Republican governor’s announcement surprised Democrats, who control the Legislature and thought they had blocked the proposal last year.
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said Tuesday that Christie’s move was “an affront to the state constitution, our democratic process and public safety.” Prieto and other high-ranking Democrats say they will move quickly to have the changes struck down in court.
The change announced by Christie means a chief of police or the state police superintendent can consider “serious threats” that could demonstrate a special danger to an applicant’s life that the person could specify in a written certification of justifiable need to carry a gun.
The revision also clarifies that a permit may be issued based on a special danger to the applicant’s life that can’t be avoided by other “reasonable” means.
The change doesn’t alter the process for obtaining a permit.
Gun rights groups praised Christie’s announcement, saying the new rules will bring New Jersey in line with other states.
“We applaud Governor Christie for adopting this new regulation despite the efforts of anti-gun lawmakers to kill it,” said Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. “The right to bear arms necessarily includes the right to self-defense with a firearm outside the home. … New Jersey’s days denying right to carry to its citizens are numbered.”
The Assembly and the state Senate each passed resolutions last December to block the loosening of restrictions that Christie announced Monday.
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