In what the New York Times is calling a “novel gun control strategy,” New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy signed an executive order this week prohibiting state agencies from doing business with gun retailers and manufacturers that do not adhere to a vaguely-worded set of gun control measures outlined in the order.
He also prohibited state agencies from doing business with banks and financial institutions that have not “adopted any code of conduct or principles related to gun safety or responsible sales of firearms.”
“New Jersey has committed to a whole-of-government approach to tackle gun violence,” Murphy said in a press release. “I have signed comprehensive, commonsense gun safety and gun-violence intervention legislation, and now, under this executive order, my Administration is committed to making our communities safer by aiming to do business with gun dealers that have adopted best practices to reduce gun violence.”
Murphy’s executive order directs the state’s Division of Purchase and Property to investigate whether the companies from which it purchases firearms and ammunition adhere to “public safety principles related to firearms.”
For retailers, these principles include policies to
- prevent, detect, and screen for the transfer of firearms to straw purchasers or firearm traffickers;
- prevent sales to prohibited individuals;
- protect against the theft of firearms and ammunition;
- train vendor employees and have reasonable employment policies designed to ensure maximum compliance with the law;
- assist law enforcement in the investigation and prevention of criminal access to guns;
- and promote public safety.
Firearm and ammunition manufacturers will be required to prove that they have “standards for retail dealers” that adhere to the same list of principles.
SEE ALSO: Court of Appeals Upholds New Jersey Law Banning 15-Round Mags
The New York Times reported that by “prohibited individuals,” the governor means the expanded list of persons used by New Jersey firearms retailers. Unlike federal requirements, this list also includes those convicted of domestic abuse, any violent crime, drug dealing, and anyone on a terrorist watchlist.
The order fails to explain how retailers and manufacturers will prove that they adhere to any of these requirements, though the Times also reported that officials will provide a specific set of guidelines within the next 30 days that “would likely be shaped by measures supported by gun control groups.”
The order also instructs state regulatory agencies to crack down on banks and financial institutions that have not adopted “any code of conduct or principles related to gun safety or responsible sales of firearms.”
Murphy does not specify what “conduct or principles” the Treasurer will be looking for, but if regulators take companies like Citibank as a model, it could include prohibiting sales of “high-capacity magazines” and all firearms sales to individuals under age 21.
Finally, Murphy instructs the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to prohibit the sale, procurement, marketing or distribution of insurance products that “may serve to encourage the improper use of firearms.”
SEE ALSO: New Jersey Governor Proposes $400 Carry Permits, $100 Firearm ID Cards, $50 Handgun Purchase Permits
The order (again) fails to define “improper use of firearms,” but it may be used to restrict the sale of insurance for those who carry concealed firearms. Just last week, Murphy’s Department of Banking and Insurance secured a $1 million fine from a company that backed the National Rifle Association’s Carry Guard insurance.
Pro-gun groups in New Jersey argue that the governor’s order could put the lives of police officers in danger if they aren’t able to access the necessary equipment.
“If they’re going to put police officers’ lives in danger because of politics, that’s on the governor, not on the gun industry,” Alex Roubian, the president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, told the Times.
The order goes into effect immediately. It applies to state troopers, prosecutor offices and local law enforcement agencies that make purchases through the state. It does not apply to municipal police departments that purchase equipment directly from manufacturers.
Such is life in this sewer state, in the fall of 2019 the guy who said the Constitution was above his pay grade in early 2020 about closing churches, issued a directive that the USCCA could not do business in this cesspool.
So in the FBI’s top ten cities with murder with illegal handguns sit Camden at 5 and Newark at 6. Newark where Cory Booger was mayor for 7 years.
So glad I moved!!!
What firearm and ammunition companies should do is stop selling NJ any more weapons not ammunition at all either that or double the cost to them so they will think twice
The only items that should be sold to the NJ governors security detail are small rocks and sticks.
Looks an awful lot like “prior restraint of trade”, which is against the law!
Good news to me. Hopefully states like CA, now NJ, and others will drive lawful gun owners, manufacturers, ancillary products manufacturers and related concerns to gun-responsible states that still recognize the US constitution. Let those remaining in these “Californicated” be easy prey to the thugs that don’t abide by firearms laws.
Looks like NJ is rapidly becoming a commie state just like CA. Keep electing the liberal loons into office and pretty soon your only freedom will be to bow and pay taxes. Why the idiots buy into the radical liberal agenda is beyond me, I guess they like all the promises of free stuff.
We don’t actually elect these people. Their spots are bought and paid for. Next month I get 2 weeks to explore the free states looking for a new place to hang my hat. Hopefully he doesn’t pass a law that prevents me from leaving before then.
But if you do find a new state to live in ,you have to pay a tax for taking the proceeds of the sale of your property.
Looks like? NJ was one of three Northern States to not vote for Lincoln in 1860 and 1864.
No gun and ammunition manufacturer should sell any of their products to NJ. This includes the police and security that guards these anti-American liberal politicians. No sale to NJ until they can support and uphold the Constitution
Great idea!
Took the words out of my mouth……..no firearm/ammo sales to entities that attempt to “infringe”. This is not really a surprise from the guy that swore to uphold a document that is “ above my pay grade”. What an moron.
“Gun Control” through abuse of power. Hum, don’t these idiots know that our War for Independence started because the King was abusing his powers. I guess these Demoratic, Fascist governors of New York and New Jersey hope that their sheepeople will take another one in the chops.
Unfortunately, the edicts of these two “clown princes” violate not only the 2nd Amendment, they also violate the constitutional power over interstate commerce given to Congress. Whoops, forgot that the Demorats are using the House as their “little banana republic” to tear up the Constitution.
Only thing he’s doing is conspiring to make his fellow lawyers richer.
Brilliant. This brain-stem wants to make it difficult, if not impossible, for even the cops that he depends on to keep the peasants in line to have the tools they need. Not that it’s a bad thing…. NJ cops are among the worst in the country for their anti-2d Amendment views, “us vs. them” superiority complex, and unlawful attempts to keep New Jerseyans from having guns to protect themselves. And this is coming from a long-time member of law enforcement.
Speaking as a subject of NJ, I appreciate your candor. I’ve been fortunate to know some really stand up cops in my time here, including a brother who recently retired from his position as chief of a local town. I’ve never cut an LEO slack when it comes to the line, and in turn I’ve never been shy about shouting out to any LEO that earned my respect. With that in mind, It awes me how few really solid examples find their way here vs. how many are as you describe.
No wonder my bank account never has any money in it! I have to tell my bank to stop selling me so many firearms….I have plenty…ow, they just sent me a text….they are having a sale! No, I think I’ll wait until their ammo sale on payday.
Stop selling guns to the police in nj…stop selling ammunition…stop any and everything to do with guns from that state. Then it will be as it is now, run by criminals.
Simple fix, Governor Murphy, how about all the firearm,ammunition, and associated equipment manufacturers get together and refuse to “import” their compleatly legal products to NJ! You obviously don’t care about your “subjects” safety and wellbeing, or your Oath of Office! The people of NJ need to get rid of this Treasonous Communist! NJ is a prime example of what is going to happen to America, if the LEFTIST takeover the Federal government! Cal,NY,Ill,Ore,Wa, are all under LEFTIST, FASCIST,COMMUNIST control! What he’s doing is probably illegal and unconstitutional, but hey he’s the “govena” so no problem, or so he thinks. Time for true Americans to “take out the trash”.
Gun and ammo manufacturers should go full Barrett on New Jersey and refuse to do business with the state. Let the governor understand what the logical conclusion of his foolishness means.
I fully agree with your sentiments, but politicians are not noted for their insight. Their assumption is that they are always right; if you disagree, you are always wrong.