New Jersey governor wants to increase gun-related fees

[KLB]

New Jersey residents already have to jump through a lot of hoops to buy a gun, though Murphy's proposal would make the process considerably more expensive. As State Police Capt. Stephen Jones detailed to New Jersey 101.5 in 2016, it starts at the police department, where would-be gun owners must apply for a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. It takes about a month or more for the police to run a background check on someone's criminal and mental health history. (This check is in addition to the one required by federal law at the point of sale for people looking to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer.) The New Jersey ID card itself currently costs $5, but Murphy wants to raise the price to $100.

Potential handgun buyers must go through an additional, separate process to obtain a handgun permit, which currently costs just $2. Under Murphy's proposal, it would cost $50.

And what happens if you want to carry that handgun around? Well, good luck. It's largely illegal to open carry a handgun (though not a legally owned rifle or shotgun). Carrying a concealed handgun is permitted, but New Jersey is a "may issue" state, meaning you have to prove that you have a good reason to carry. It costs $20 to obtain a concealed carry permit. If Murphy gets his way, that will rise to $400.

Right now, a New Jersey resident looking to buy a handgun for concealed carry purposes is looking at $27 (at least) in state fees. That would go up to $550 under Murphy's proposal, an increase of more than 2,000 percent. His proposed 2020 state budget also calls for a 2.5 percent excise tax on gun sales, as well as a 10 percent ammunition tax, NJ.com reported last month.

https://reason.com/2019/04/24/n-j-gov-p ... 0-percent/

[OneGun]

Yes, gun ownership is for the wealthy, until the wealthy are taxed out of existence to pay for free education, free basic income, free healthcare, free lodging, etc. The next generation will be helpless.

[DynamicDan]

Hope the legislature has the fortitude to say absolutely not.

[flechero]

Does that not discriminate against the lower income folks?

[bblhd672]

Does that not discriminate against the lower income folks?

Yes, but as long as the NJ government continues their handouts the lower income folks will keep their mouths shut.

[bblhd672]

Raising gun prices: New Jersey governor’s bright idea
https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/edi ... 96877.html

That will put the poor people in their place. No guns for you! The rich will still be able to afford weapons, of course. And since restrictive gun laws have never stopped criminals, they, too, will acquire them. Utopia is near at hand.

[philip964]

I didn’t know you could legally own a gun in New Jersey.

Sounds like a feel good thing.

“Look what I have done to stop gun crime”

“I’ve made sure only criminals have guns.”

Now extra extra hard for anyone besides criminals and the police to protect themselves.

[WildRose]

Does that not discriminate against the lower income folks?

Most of the effect would be to make it impossible for the majority of minorities to legally own much less carry a firearm.

Intentionally or not in effect all gun control legislation is inherently racist and most of it stems from a desire to disarm young "men of color".

You won't see democrats or civil rights advocates making this argument however.

[RoyGBiv]

Right now, a New Jersey resident looking to buy a handgun for concealed carry purposes is looking at $27 (at least) in state fees. That would go up to $550 under Murphy's proposal, an increase of more than 2,000 percent. His proposed 2020 state budget also calls for a 2.5 percent excise tax on gun sales, as well as a 10 percent ammunition tax, NJ.com reported last month.

https://reason.com/2019/04/24/n-j-gov-p ... 0-percent/

"... shall not be infringed."

I hope this proposal passes and SCOTUS gets a chance to review it.

[howdy]

Hey, I have a thought. Maybe when the fees get so high it will be advantageous for New Jersey to ease up on getting a permit/Concealed License. They would take in lots of new revenue and everyone would be happy. They could balance their budget, give big raises to all state employees, clean up their streets, make it the "garden state" they advertise....................................Nahhhhhhhhhhh

[MaduroBU]

Disproportionate effect? This sounds a lot like a poll tax, which I believe gas been discussed in court before....