Trenton, NJ – Imagine making car manufacturers pay for all of the crimes committed by drivers on the roadways. That’s what New Jersey wants to do, holding gun manufacturers liable for the crimes individuals commit with their products.
Senator Joseph P. Cryan (D-Union) has introduced legislation that would impose new licensing requirements and financial accountability measures on firearm manufacturers operating in New Jersey. Senate Bill S4916, titled the “Responsibility in Firearms Sales Act,” aims to tie the cost of gun-related violence to the firearms industry while creating a new compensation fund for victims of firearm injuries and deaths.
Co-sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) and introduced on December 1, 2025, the bill requires every firearms manufacturer to obtain an annual state license from the Superintendent of State Police in order to sell or distribute guns in New Jersey. Retail dealers would be prohibited from selling firearms made by unlicensed manufacturers.
The proposed law would establish a “Responsibility in Firearms Sales Fund,” administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. All licensing fees and penalties collected under the act would be deposited into this fund to provide financial assistance to victims of firearm-related injuries or deaths, covering expenses such as medical treatment, mental health care, relocation, and lost wages.
Under the bill, the total annual licensing fees for manufacturers statewide would be set to equal the public health and financial costs associated with firearm injuries in New Jersey. For the program’s first year, total fees could reach up to $866 million, with future adjustments tied to inflation. Manufacturers’ fees would be calculated based on their market share and the number of firearms linked to violent incidents within the state.
Violations of the act could result in steep civil penalties—up to $1 million per month for manufacturers operating without a valid license, and up to $10,000 per violation for retailers selling unlicensed firearms. The Attorney General would have authority to investigate and enforce compliance through civil action.
The legislation cites data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing nearly 48,000 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. in 2022 and identifies gun injuries as a leading cause of death among children and teens. Lawmakers said the bill seeks to offset the public health burden of gun violence and direct support to victims without imposing new costs on taxpayers.
Senate Bill S4916 would require firearm manufacturers to obtain annual licenses, pay fees tied to the cost of gun violence, and fund a statewide compensation program for firearm victims.
