New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense

Today Governor Christie commuted the sentence of Brian Aitken from seven years to time served.

Our thanks to all who took the time to sign the petition, write or call. Your voices helped make a difference!

Yesterday we finalized the gathering of electronic signatures to submit to Governor Christie requesting clemency and a commuted sentence for Briann Aitken.

Feel free to take a moment to view our cover letter in our library.  Thanks to all of you who participated.  Though we always hope for a more vigorous showing of support, nearly 270 signatures were gathered from patriotic Americans across the country, but mostly in the Garden State.

VanDrew Bill Still Problematic

The NJCSD has decided to not endorse the latest version of Senator Jeff Van Drew's right-to-carry proposal, S 2431 (available online). While the removal of twice-a-year psychological exams and a reduction of fees is a step in the right direction, there are other parts of the bill that still need further discussion and improvement. We hope to keep the conversation going even after the campaign season is over.

Just What NJ Didn't Need: Another FID card

Yet another bill (S 2190, available online) was introduced by Senator Fred Madden in July of this past year and has now made its way to the next legislative consideration level. The bill seeks to introduce yet another layer to the already complicated morass of NJ gun laws by creating... wait for it... a Handgun Purchaser ID Card! It does not, as far as we can tell, eliminate any other requirements; you'll still need your present FID and one of these Handgun Purchaser ID cards if you'd like to purchase a pistol at an approved establishment in New Jersey, plus pay the extra fee so that the dealer can call the State Police to ask them to call NICS.The only thing this card does is remove the OGAM limit when purchasing firearms through a retailer.

If you're looking to buy or sell guns privately, OGAM still applies, as does the Pistol Purchase Permit, plus the standard FID card, plus the new Handgun Purchaser ID card.

Confused yet?

We don't need to further complicate New Jersey's already convoluted system; we need to simplify it. For those of you who don't get out much, here's how it works outside of New Jersey: You walk in to the store, you choose a firearm, you show your driver's license, the dealer calls NICS and runs an instant background check, and if everything's kosher you exchange money for product and go home.

One alternative to S 2190 might be to simply apply the "benefits" of the proposed Handgun Purchaser ID to the present FID card.

Another positive move on the part of the legislature would be to eliminate the role of the NJSP in the background check part of the process. Dealers across the United States regularly contact NICS directly without having to use their state law enforcement units as a middleman. By removing NJSP involvement in New Jersey, we can save valuable NJSP man-hours.

Don't be fooled into thinking that another firearm purchaser ID card is a step forward. It heaps more bureacracy on an already muddled system and effectively kills private sales of firearms within the state. Tell your rep that you don't want another card, and let him or her know there are alternatives.

The rally for Brian Aitken scheduled for December 12 in Toms River has been "postponed".

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