This bill amends existing New Jersey laws regarding community guns and the prevention of minors accessing firearms. It clarifies the definition of a community gun to include firearms transferred among family or household members and specifies that criminal activity can occur either jointly or individually. The bill also updates the child access prevention statute, which previously classified allowing a minor under 16 to access a loaded firearm as a disorderly persons offense. The new provisions extend this liability to firearms improperly stored in motor vehicles, remove the requirement for the firearm to be loaded, raise the age limit from 16 to 18, and elevate the offense to a crime of the third degree.

Additionally, if a minor gains access to a firearm and subsequently engages in criminal activity or uses the firearm unlawfully, that firearm will be classified as a community gun. The adult who facilitated the minor's access will then be guilty of a crime of the second degree under the community gun statute. The bill aims to strengthen accountability for adults who recklessly or intentionally allow minors access to firearms, addressing the significant role that improperly stored guns play in youth-related gun violence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:58-15