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A new Brady report applauds New Jersey for its effective gun safety policies, highlighting a significant achievement in the fight against gun trafficking.
NEW JERSEY - In a significant acknowledgment of New Jersey's stringent gun safety measures, a recent report from Brady, a leading gun control advocacy group, has spotlighted the state for its exemplary efforts in curbing gun violence and trafficking. For the second consecutive year, none of New Jersey's firearms dealers were cited for selling crime guns, a key indicator of gun trafficking, making it one of only four states to achieve this status.
Governor Phil Murphy attributed this success to the comprehensive gun safety legislation enacted during his administration, stating, "The Brady report is proof that what we’re doing here in New Jersey is working." The state's initiatives have positioned it as a national model for gun safety, with efforts aimed at ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the effectiveness of New Jersey's gun policies in not only reducing violence within the state but also in preventing the flow of firearms used in crimes across state lines. This has contributed to New Jersey having the third-lowest rate of firearm deaths in the United States, a testament to the collaborative work of law enforcement and state leadership.
“The report shows that New Jersey is not a common source for firearms used in the commission of crimes, here or elsewhere. This is clear evidence that our strong, commonsense gun policies are not only stopping violence within our own State, they are curbing gun violence in other states,” said Attorney General Platkin.
The Brady report utilizes data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)'s Demand Letter 2 (DL2) program, which identifies dealers involved in a significant number of gun sales later linked to crimes. Remarkably, none of New Jersey's 307 in-state firearms dealers received a DL2 in the years 2022 or 2023, underscoring the state's rigorous approach to gun regulation.
Further highlighting New Jersey's achievements, ATF statistics reveal that crime guns sold by state dealers had the fourth-lowest median time-to-crime rate of 9.4 years between 2017 and 2021, indicating fewer New Jersey-sold firearms being used in criminal activities shortly after purchase.
New Jersey’s experience contrasts sharply with that of states with weaker gun sale regulations, with a report finding that just 10 states are the primary sources of interstate gun trafficking. From 2017 to 2021, nearly 50% of the traced guns recovered in states other than their origin were sourced from Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Indiana, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Mississippi.
New Jersey's comprehensive measures, including licensing requirements for firearm dealers, state inspections, limitations on handgun transfers, and establishing the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office (SAFE), have been pivotal in its success. New Jersey's efforts extend beyond regulations, with initiatives like the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) and the statewide Gun Violence Reduction Task Force (GVRTF) focusing on community and law enforcement collaboration to address and reduce gun violence.
This recognition by the Brady report serves as a testament to New Jersey's proactive and multifaceted approach to gun safety, setting a precedent for other states to follow in the ongoing battle against gun violence and trafficking.
