This bill establishes the crime of reckless discharge of a firearm in New Jersey, categorizing it into two degrees based on the circumstances of the discharge. A person who recklessly discharges a firearm unlawfully or without a 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 crimes include imprisonment and fines, with third-degree crimes punishable by three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum of 18 months in prison 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 for each offense. It also mandates that if multiple sentences are imposed 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.