Alejandro Roubian, NJ2AS President and Managing Editor, recently received information from a Trenton insider that proposed legislation will make the “gun industry” accountable for “crime guns” under public nuisance laws.
Unsure of the validity, we waited to confirm this tip. At this time, NJ2AS can report that a bill (A6218) sponsored by Assemblyman John McKeon (D-27) was proposed and introduced to the Judiciary Committee yesterday. It will be heard on Monday.
The proposed legislation specifically targets gun retailers, manufacturers, NJ2AS, and YOU. Specifically, it allows the “Attorney General to bring cause of action for certain public nuisance violations arising from sale or marketing of firearms,” according to the bill’s synopsis.
The term “marketing” is not defined, but anyone discussing firearms should be greatly concerned. Is a Facebook post discussing your new favorite gun, ammo, or accessory considered marketing? Based on how the proposed law is written, it would be – and you could become legally responsible for criminal activity!
According to the bill, “Gun industry member” means a person, firm, corporation, company, partnership, society, joint stock company, or any other entity or association engaged in the sale, manufacturing, distribution, importing or marketing of firearms, ammunition, ammunition magazines, or firearm accessories.
You read that correctly… It specifically lists “society” as a member of the gun industry. To make matters worse, it also states “a person” – meaning, you, the average person who wants to discuss firearms and exercise their First Amendment right could be charged under the “marketing” aspect of the legislation.
Any person boasting or bragging about how they love XYZ brand of guns, ammunition, magazines, OR accessories would now be responsible if a criminal uses the aforementioned items in a crime. You and others listed in their “gun industry member” definition would be changed by the state Attorney General under New Jersey’s public nuisance laws.
Think this is a joke? Think again. The language of the Bill specifically states:
“The conduct of a gun industry member shall be deemed to constitute a proximate cause of the public nuisance if the harm to the public was a reasonably foreseeable effect of such conduct, notwithstanding any intervening actions, including but not limited to criminal actions by third parties.”
If being responsible for criminal actions by third parties isn’t insane enough… it gets crazier. A “gun industry member” will be financially responsible for the crimes committed by criminals:
“Therefore, it is necessary and proper to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of New Jersey by establishing a statutory cause of action for public nuisance violations available to the Attorney General and those injured by the public nuisance to address injuries to public health and safety and to seek relief, including but not limited to, abatement and other injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.”
In simple terms, the Attorney General and those injured can sue you for the actions of criminals you’ve never crossed paths with. It’s not an understatement to say this might be the worst gun law ever proposed in New Jersey history (which is truly saying something). We will stop at nothing to fight back and end this war on our rights. We need your support and help! Please join NJ2AS to help fight back and put these tyrants where they belong.
Alejandro Roubian has made a short video discussing this bill. Watch below!