Chris Christie Unveils Sweeping Gun Control Plans

[Patricia M. McBride]

Well, I could never vote for this man for president.  How about you?   I think he just crossed a line that he doesn't really have the authority to and that is amending someone's second amendment rights by hugely infringing on them.   He also is going to allow involuntary commitments for folks someone judges to be mentally ill.....................that is very scary since it is subjective to a point or certainly could be.

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Gov. Chris Christie unveiled gun control and violence prevention measures that are as comprehensive as they are ambitious.

Governor Chris Christie announces a plan to strengthen existing gun laws and background checks, bolster criminal penalties and treat the root causes of mass violence. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)

Christie acknowledges there is no way to prevent all violence in our society, but he says it is the job of government to question, to scrutinize and to demand more in an attempt to address the problem.

The plan calls for expanding New Jersey’s already strict gun control laws, expanding government-funded mental health treatment, making it more difficult for kids buy or rent violent video games, requiring that would-be gun owners show government-issued IDs and bolstering penalties for gun-related crimes.

“It’s hard for me to sit here today and say, ‘If all these things got imposed we’d see an ‘X’ percentage drop in gin violence in this state.’ I don’t know,” said Christie. “Bad people are going to do bad things and so, would greater penalties deter people? You hope they do.”

Expanding New Jersey’s Already Stringent Gun Control Measures:

New Jersey has the second toughest gun laws in the country. The first facet of Christie’s plan seeks to make them even stricter. This includes banning future purchases of the Barrett .50 Caliber; strengthening the state’s existing background check requirement by mandating that mental health records are included in the instant background check process at the time of a firearm purchase; and requiring firearms purchasers to present a valid government photo ID, along with the already mandatory Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.

Mental Health And Violence:

At the announcement of Christie’s NJ SAFE Taskforce in January in the aftermath of Newtown, he talked about targeting and treating the root causes of violence. Too many times there are instances of unspeakable tragedy and the question is asked how such tragedy could have been prevented. His proposals is this area include;

• Making it easier for health professionals and courts to require potentially dangerous people to receive the treatment they need whether it is in the form of inpatient or outpatient care. This will allow the monitoring of their progress and ensure they are receiving the kind of specific care they need.

• Creating flexibility in the type of care an individual is receiving, making it easier for someone to move from inpatient to outpatient settings.

• Changing the current standard of involuntary outpatient treatment to eliminate the uncertainty expressed by clinicians and courts regarding their authority to order this type of essential assistance.

Limiting Kids’ Access To Violent Video Games:

According to the Governor, too often lost in the debate about controlling gun violence in our society is the almost constant exposure young children and adults have to graphic violence. Part-three of his plan includes;

• Requiring that retailers post at the point of sale the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ERSB) ratings. Additionally, requiring retailers to develop, maintain and conspicuously display their policy on selling video games with an M or AO rating.

• Requiring Consent of a Legal Guardian. This is not different than the kind of parental supervision expected when a child under the age of 18 goes to see an R rated movie, Christie is requiring that a legal guardian provide consent when a minor purchases or rents a video game that has a rating of “Mature” or “Adult Only.”

Increasing Penalties For Gun-Related Crimes:

In a series of bills Christie seeks to impose or strengthen criminal penalties when it comes to selling firearms to convicted criminals, possessing a firearm with the intent to unlawfully transfer, hiring a “straw purchaser,” unlawfully possessing ammunition and engaging in firearms trafficking, among other areas. In addition, Governor Christie is seeking to reform bail laws for gun-related crimes by restricting the release on bail for aggravated firearms offenses and increasing bail requirements for aggravated firearms crimes.

http://nj1015.com/chris-christie-unveils-sweeping-gun-control-plans/

[amanda choate]

The tea party only supports background checks in that it allowed for that to be the ONLY way you could win the raffle. The winnewr did not have  the option of NOT providing a background check.

Deeds speak louder than words. The opposition to background checks fades when it comes down to it.

[Patricia M. McBride]

Once again, the harbinger of incorrect information.  The FCTP did not require a background check.  The store that held the guns is required by law to do a background check (that had nothing to do with the tea party unless you consider putting the money up to provide guns for 2 people on a raffle).  You really can't twist that into the tea party supports background checks..................the liberal mind certainly works in mysterious ways!

[amanda choate]

ANYONE??????

[amanda choate]

You know the winners of the Tax Day Rally raffle, a 9mm had to submit to a background check. So the Tea Party requires background checks to win a gun but thinks some thug should be able to go to a gun show and buy any weapon they want. How is this not hypocrisy? Anyone?

[amanda choate]

What part of his plan do you object to exactly Patricia?