Recent bill introductions in New Jersey make it nearly impossible to buy a hunting rifle or shotgun. The bills force hunters to navigate a gauntlet of subjective governmental approvals that depend on the opinions of bureaucrats and those who might have anti-gun biases. Assembly Bill 4717 and Assembly Bill 4769 require such outlandish prerequisites as psychological evaluations and home inspections by government officials before gaining approval to purchase a firearm.

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“The sponsors of these bills claim they want to address handgun violence and that these laws are necessary to keep people safe after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision,” said Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “In reality, they greatly restrict the purchases of all firearms, including hunting rifles and shotguns, because they limit who can receive a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.”

Without a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC), a person is prohibited from purchasing a rifle or shotgun for any reason. Under A 4717 an applicant for a FPIC must submit to a psychological evaluation that the government claims will be kept confidential. The person must also submit to a home inspection where the government will determine if the person is qualified to purchase a firearm.

A 4769 would allow the government to reject a FPIC to a person who is “known in the community in which the person lives as someone who has engaged in acts or made statements suggesting the person is likely to engage in conduct, other than justified self-defense, that would pose a danger to self or others.” The bill further allows the government to prevent a person from buying a firearm because they are “found to be lacking the essential character or temperament necessary to be entrusted with a firearm.”

Legislative leaders announced their anti-gun barrage in a press conference and promised quick action. They appear to be following through on their commitment as A 4769 has been scheduled for its first hearing this Monday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 12 on the 4th Floor of the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton.

“One thing is clear in New Jersey: the government doesn’t want people to buy firearms of any type,” continued Adkins. “How many psychiatrists are going to officially vouch for someone to buy a firearm, when that would open them up to liability and even prosecution? It appears they will stop at nothing to disarm law-abiding citizens for self-defense, hunting or any other reason.”

Sportsmen in New Jersey need to make their voices heard loud and clear on these issues by sounding their opposition to A 4769 when it comes up for a hearing in committee on Monday.

Please send an email to the members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee urging them to OPPOSE A 4769.

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.