Moms Praise State Legislators Weinberg and Mosquera for Keeping Up Efforts at Making SB 2483 Law; Governor Christie Vetoed Similar Legislation In Both 2015 and 2016
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today celebrated the enactment of one of the organization’s signature policy priorities, Senate Bill 2483, legislation that will help keep guns away from domestic abusers. Governor Christie signed the bill into law this afternoon after previously vetoing similar legislation. The bill marks the culmination of nearly two full years of grassroots activity by Moms members in the Garden State. The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, passed overwhelmingly through both houses of the state legislature with a final late November vote in the Assembly of 60-to-2.
“I am so grateful that this day has finally arrived,” said Geri Jannarone, a volunteer New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Protecting women from gun violence is one of our top priorities and moms around the state have fought tirelessly to pass legislation that will keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and SB 2483 does just that.”
Previously, New Jersey law prohibited domestic abusers from having guns if they became subject to a final restraining order or were convicted of a domestic violence offense or crime. But the law did not require abusers to actually turn in the guns they already owned. That meant that a convicted abuser could return home after court and use the guns there to harm a past or current intimate partner. Senate Bill 2483 closes this gap by requiring all prohibited abusers to turn in their guns immediately.
“Today’s victory is a win for New Jersey women and families. Those legislators who continued to fight for this legislation deserve great credit. Governor Christie heard us loud and clear and did the right thing by reversing his previous position and signing SB 2483 into law,” said Brett Sabo, another volunteer with the New Jersey Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We know that in cities in states which restrict access to firearms for those under final restraining orders see a 25 percent reduction in intimate partner gun homicides. Assemblywoman Mosquera and Senator Weinberg deserve particular credit for seeing this bill through the legislative process. They’ve boldly championed this important legislation since day one.”
Members of Moms Demand Action in New Jersey started working on anti domestic violence legislation in January of 2015. They testified at hearings, lobbied state legislators, and wrote countless letters to the editors of New Jersey papers in their efforts to pass the bill.