This bill establishes the crime of reckless discharge of a firearm in New Jersey, categorizing such actions into two degrees of offenses. A person who recklessly discharges a firearm unlawfully or without lawful purpose within 100 yards of an occupied structure, school, college, university, school bus, or child care facility commits a third-degree crime. Any other reckless discharge of a firearm is classified as a fourth-degree crime. The penalties for these offenses include imprisonment and fines, with third-degree crimes carrying a potential sentence of three to five years and fines up to $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes can result in up to 18 months of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that convictions for reckless discharge of a firearm will not merge with other related convictions, allowing for separate sentences to be imposed. It also mandates that if multiple sentences are given for different offenses, they must run consecutively. This legislation is in response to recommendations made by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation regarding illegal firearms use and trends in the state.