CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey’s recently passed gun laws are a welcome development for the police chief in Camden, who says the new laws should help the city continue a trend of crime reduction.
The laws, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy last week, include required training to obtain a gun permit, a ban on .50-caliber rifles, greater data collection on ammunition sales, enhanced penalties for ghost guns, required microstamping of guns when available, a requirement for people who become New Jersey residents to register handguns and get a state firearm purchaser identification card, and an increased ability for acting Attorney General Matt Platkin to file suit against gun manufacturers for disrupting public safety.
So far in 2022, there have been 10 lives lost to gun violence in Camden, three fewer than the same time last year. While shooting deaths are down, the number of ghost guns that police confiscate is rising every year.
Camden County Police Chief Gabe Rodriguez said the new package of gun laws will help save lives and solve crimes.
“Microstamping, I think that’s phenomenal. That’s also going to help us from an investigative standpoint,” said Rodriguez. He added that the ban on .50-caliber weapons is a step in the right direction.
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“We’re all trying to work together to make New Jersey safer, and hopefully put some reforms in place that serve as a model for the nation.”
The new Supreme Court ruling to negate limits on concealed carry permits is concerning to Chief Rodriguez. He said he is looking forward to seeing what the AG and governor will do next.
“They know the challenges we face here to keep our streets safer,” said Rodriguez.
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