NEW JERSEY — As no surprise, multiple northern towns in New Jersey have recently passed resolutions that show their opposition to the proposed National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill that is beginning to move through the system.
New Jersey is a ‘may-issue’ state, meaning that applicants must give good cause for requiring a concealed carry permit, and that local officials are able to decide whether their reason is good enough.
In other words, you need to have two feet in the grave before you’re giving permission to legally carry your firearm.
From northjersey.com;
“If anyone is going to have a concealed weapon, it should be based on an application that should be made to the appropriate authority in New Jersey,” Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said. “I’ll be damned if a state with liberality hands out concealed gun permits and I’ve got them in my town every day.”
Sokolich said Fort Lee, which passed a resolution opposing the bill on Nov. 9, is respectful of the Constitution and recognizes the Second Amendment, and he acknowledges that some people’s livelihoods require them to carry a concealed weapon. He sees that as a very small portion of the population, however.
While the resolutions are symbolic and would not override federal law if it were to pass, it does show us the mindset of residents in the state.
I remember when I lived in NY and the Safe Act was passed, my town was one of just a handful that adopted resolutions in support of it. I was ashamed and embarrassed, but that’s small town politics. While it didn’t effect anything other than the rest of the state seeing ‘our’ support for Cuomo’s bill passed in the darkness, it still sends a message to the rest of the state and the Country (for those who are interested).
In addition to Fort Lee and Teaneck, Old Tappan, Westwood, Cresskill, Woodcliff Lake and Tenafly have passed resolutions opposing the legislation, and others are talking about it, said Emanuel Genn, a Fort Lee resident and member of the Brady Campaign’s Bergen County chapter.
The National Reciprocity Act of 2017 is currently being considered in the House of Representatives. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether it’ll make it or not, but be sure that if it does, there will be some fierce opposition from states such as New Jersey, New York and California.
