“New Jersey lawmakers are making a push to ban the possession and sale of so-called ‘bump stock’ devices, like the ones used in the shooting massacre in Las Vegas, during the current lame-duck session,” burlingtoncountytimes.com reports. “Legislation to outlaw the devices was advanced Thursday from the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee by an 8-0 vote.” That’s Garden State gun grabber unanimity. Yes, grabbers. Check this out . . .
The bill was sponsored by several Democrats, including Annette Quijanao, D-20th of Elizabeth, and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, D-6th of Voorhees. It seeks to make possession or sale of the devices a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The Democrats’ bill would require individuals in possession of the devices to surrender them to law enforcement within 90 days. Licensed manufacturers and retailers would have 30 days to turn them into authorities.
You know that thing called “the takings clause” in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution (applied to the local and state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment)? The one that says “private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just compensation”?
That doesn’t apply, apparently. Not in New Jersey. Bump fire stock owners get bupkis. And that’s the best case scenario.
New Jersey State Police (courtesy pinterest.com)
Like any law, this one’s backed up by the threat of force. NJ’s 90-day bump fire stocksurrender demand could see jack-booted New Jersey State Police officers (or SWAT team members) knocking on doors demanding the immediate surrender of the offending piece of plastic — or else!
Surely, New Jersey Republicans — ineffectual as they are in what is effectively a one-party state — are raising the alarm. Don’t call Nancy Shirley . . .
Republican Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz, R-21st of Summit, and Holly Schepisi, R-39th of River Vale, have sponsored similar legislation that bans the devices, but callsfor even tougher penalties for possession. Their bill would also require the devices to be surrendered sooner.
“Bump stocks have no practical use,” Munoz said Thursday during the committee hearing. “It is simply a deadly gun accessory, and this is recognized by the National Rifle Association. No person should be allowed to have one or buy one.”
So New Jersey Republicans and the NRA don’t have New Jersey gun owners’ backs. Who does? Truth be told, slopes don’t come much slippery-er. To paraphrase Martin Niemöller . . .
First they came for the bump fire stocks, and I did not speak out— because I didn’t think bump fire stocks were worth defending. Then they came for the “assault weapons,” and I did not speak out—  because they let me keep mine. And so on. (Hint: this doesn’t end well.)