Just before leaving office Tuesday for good, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill (S3477/A5200) banning bump stocks.
Effective immediately, it is now illegal to sell or possess the popular rifle accessory. The ban also extends to trigger cranks.
Violators of the new law face stiff penalties, including three-to-five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
There is no grandfather clause for current bump stock owners. Those who own the devices will have 90 days, until April 15, to turn them over to law enforcement. Retailers who sell bump stocks have 30 days.
No grandfather clause and, I assume, no compensation upon turn-in?
Just before leaving office Tuesday for good, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill (S3477/A5200) banning bump stocks.
Effective immediately, it is now illegal to sell or possess the popular rifle accessory. The ban also extends to trigger cranks.
Violators of the new law face stiff penalties, including three-to-five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
There is no grandfather clause for current bump stock owners. Those who own the devices will have 90 days, until April 15, to turn them over to law enforcement. Retailers who sell bump stocks have 30 days.
No grandfather clause and, I assume, no compensation upon turn-in?
Officer: “Where’s your bump stock? Why didn’t you turn it in? We have your purchasing records, you know.”
Gun owner: “Neither under the previous law, nor under the existing law, was it ever, or is it now required for me to report that mine fell overboard while fishing in Delaware Bay. I sure wish I had it back. It was a nifty little device - perfect for militia use, and as a means of tempering and controlling the arrogance of officialdom. But it’s too late now. Sigh.......”
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
Officials with the Commonwealth reached out to Massachusetts gun owners to caution them the clock is ticking to hand over any bump stocks or trigger cranks.
Under the new state law passed as part of a spending bill, those found guilty of possession of such devices could face anywhere from 18 months to life in prison and there is no provision to grandfather the accessories.
Looks like MA is doing the same thing, too. Lots of bump stock hatred.
The law defines a "bump stock" as "a device that is designed to attach to a semi-automatic firearm in order to fire shots in rapid succession in a manner that simulates an automatic firearm."
So does this mean that I can possess my right thumb, belt loops, dowels, and rubber bands in NJ since they arguably were not "designed" for the purpose of simulating an automatic firearm, even though these evil devices are just as effective as true "bump stocks" when used for this purpose?
Soccerdad1995 wrote:The law defines a "bump stock" as "a device that is designed to attach to a semi-automatic firearm in order to fire shots in rapid succession in a manner that simulates an automatic firearm."
So does this mean that I can possess my right thumb, belt loops, dowels, and rubber bands in NJ since they arguably were not "designed" for the purpose of simulating an automatic firearm, even though these evil devices are just as effective as true "bump stocks" when used for this purpose?
Don't forget arm slings! TIme to RAID the hospitals!
Soccerdad1995 wrote:The law defines a "bump stock" as "a device that is designed to attach to a semi-automatic firearm in order to fire shots in rapid succession in a manner that simulates an automatic firearm."
So does this mean that I can possess my right thumb, belt loops, dowels, and rubber bands in NJ since they arguably were not "designed" for the purpose of simulating an automatic firearm, even though these evil devices are just as effective as true "bump stocks" when used for this purpose?
Don't forget arm slings! TIme to RAID the hospitals!
I guess the next logical step would be for the makers of Bump stocks to make them in such a way that they are not "designed to be attached" to a semi-auto rifle. Maybe leave out a connector that the buyer needs to get someplace else, like a hardware store. By my read of this bill, that would make the devices legal even after they were later attached to an AR or the equivalent.
I forget the legal term, but isn't there some protection for laws that try to backdate something as illegal? IE banning something going forward is fine, even if it is silly/stupid. But making it illegal for having had purchased it while it was legal to own?
"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny" - Thomas Jefferson
Pariah3j wrote:I forget the legal term, but isn't there some protection for laws that try to backdate something as illegal? IE banning something going forward is fine, even if it is silly/stupid. But making it illegal for having had purchased it while it was legal to own?
ex post facto
That clause in the Constitution prohibits them passing a law today than bans possession of a bump stock in 2017. However, it doesn't prohibit them passing a law today that bans bump stocks possession tomorrow, regardless of when you bought it.
This adds to the list of citizens of States in the Northeast who have made criminals out of their citizens over firearms. NY and CT both banned "assault" rifles and the citizens have not complied with either of those laws. I predict that won't be the last. I don't expect that NJ LE will be any more aggressive in ferreting out offenders of the bump stock owners, assuming that there actually are any. NJ's gun laws were already Draconian and people like me who don't want to live under them (we did for three years) have already moved out.
Chicago has had a parade of corrupt politicians. NJ is easily its rival, though fewer of them seem to have been caught and punished,
