Shooting target on a sports shooting range
Shooting target on a sports shooting range

New Jersey Congressman Calls for Federal Gun License with New Restrictions

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1 min read
November 6, 2023

TRENTON, NJ — In a significant move toward stricter gun control, Congressman Andy Kim of New Jersey has reintroduced legislation mandating federal firearms licensing for all gun owners. This bill, if passed, would override current New Jersey state laws regarding gun ownership.

The proposal stipulates that gun owners would need to obtain a federal license from the Department of Justice, negating existing New Jersey firearms licenses. As part of the licensing process, applicants must complete safety training, pass a written examination, and demonstrate firearm proficiency.

The federal license would have a five-year validity, after which gun owners would be required to reapply. Failure to comply with these new regulations could lead to severe penalties, including firearm confiscation, fines, or imprisonment.

A key provision grants the attorney general the authority to investigate an individual’s moral character before issuing a license. Purchasing ammunition or merely possessing a firearm could trigger scrutiny under the new law.

Those denied a federal license would be compelled to appeal the decision in court. Moreover, current New Jersey firearm ID holders would be subject to the federal Rap Back system, permitting the FBI to perform background checks at any time without prior notification.

The bill also allows for state-level licensing, provided the states comply with the same stringent federal standards. New Jersey’s current licensing system, which does not mandate testing or training, would thus be rendered obsolete.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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