Bill to limit sales of handguns falters (NJ) [View All]

[davepc]

A bill that would restrict handgun purchases in New Jersey to one per month stalled in the state Senate yesterday.

The bill was held by its sponsor, Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson), after it received 20 votes, one shy of the 21 needed for passage. No Republicans voted for the bill, drawing a rebuke from Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex).

Cunningham and other supporters argued the bill would cut down on "straw" buyers who purchase guns for criminals. The bill (S1774/A339) would allow the purchase of up to 13 guns a year, one every 30 days.

New Jersey would be the fourth state to adopt such a limit. Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, had pushed for the bill earlier this month, saying it was "close" to approval.

"This bill is critical to public safety," Codey said. "This is a common sense measure to put a stop to in-state 'straw' purchases of large numbers of handguns that are then sold illegally and used by criminals and gang members."

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http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/123545314436320.xml&coll=1