Trenton, NJ – Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation in the New Jersey Legislature that would strengthen the state’s existing Assault Weapons ban by expanding the types of semi-automatic firearms prohibited under state law.
According to Assembly Bill 442, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Venezia and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, the proposal would revise New Jersey’s definition of an assault firearm to include additional semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols based on specific design features rather than existing standards.
Bill expands definition of prohibited firearms
According to the bill’s statement, current New Jersey regulations generally classify a semi-automatic firearm as substantially identical to a banned assault firearm if it possesses two specified military-style features. Assembly Bill 442 would lower that threshold to one qualifying feature while adding new characteristics to the list of prohibited features.
The legislation would apply to semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting detachable magazines, semi-automatic shotguns, and semi-automatic pistols.
Among the additional characteristics identified in the bill are thumbhole stocks and second handgrips, while firearms equipped with only one qualifying military-style feature could be classified as assault firearms under the revised definition.
Proposal would codify and expand existing regulations
According to the bill, New Jersey law already prohibits numerous specifically named firearms and firearms considered substantially identical to those weapons under existing regulations. The proposal would place those regulatory standards into statute while expanding the definition of prohibited firearms by reducing the number of qualifying features required from two to one.
The legislation was pre-filed for the 2026 legislative session and has been introduced pending technical review by Legislative Counsel. As of Tuesday, the bill had not advanced through the committee process.
Why it matters
If enacted, Assembly Bill 442 would expand New Jersey’s existing assault firearm restrictions by broadening the categories of semi-automatic firearms prohibited under state law. The measure represents another proposal in the Legislature’s ongoing debate over firearm regulation and would need approval from both legislative chambers and the governor before becoming law.
Key Points
- Assembly Bill 442 would broaden New Jersey’s definition of assault firearms by expanding the list of prohibited features.
- According to the bill, certain semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols could qualify as assault firearms if they have one specified military-style feature rather than two.
- The legislation has been introduced but has not yet advanced through the New Jersey Legislature.
