ASSEMBLYMAN KEAN ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO HELP COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE IN ASBURY PARK
JOINED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF ASBURY PARK

Today, Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) announced that he is sponsoring two bills aimed at helping to reduce gun violence in Asbury Park, as well as other New Jersey cities. Kean who was joined by various members of the law enforcement community, held a press conference at the West Side Community Center in Asbury Park.

“Too many young people, especially here in Asbury Park, have been the victims of senseless gun violence,” said Assemblyman Sean T. Kean. “In many of these incidents, the guns being used have been illegally brought into New Jersey and sold.”

Under Kean’s legislation, the penalties for illegal transfer of certain weapons would be increased. The legislation would make it a second degree crime to acquire a firearm outside of New Jersey and then bring it into the state and sell it. A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.

In addition, this measure would also increase the penalties for selling a sawed-off shot gun from a third degree crime to a second degree crime. Kean stated, “There is no good reason for any individual to possess a sawed-off shot gun.”

“New Jersey has very stringent laws regarding purchasing guns that unfortunately have brought about a demand for illegal guns from out of state,” remarked Kean. “Individuals who know they won’t be able to purchase a firearm in New Jersey turn to the person selling guns on the street who may have purchased a cache of guns out of state.”

Furthermore, this legislation would amend the current law to eliminate the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense of selling handguns. Under this legislation, if a person is convicted of this crime for the first time they could face jail time.

Kean said that recent news reports about guns being smuggled in New Jersey prompted him to further explore the issue. According to media reports, guns used in connection with various crimes in Newark were traced back to one bail-bondsman in Florida who purchased the guns for a gun smuggler who would bring them back to New Jersey and sell them for a large profit. The bail-bondsman purchasing the guns only received in home detention, despite the fact that many of the guns he originally purchased had not yet been found.

“Law enforcement officers are finding that some of the guns used in crimes can be traced back to one lot purchased out of state and brought into New Jersey. If we can stop the gun smugglers and put them in jail for a considerable period of time, fewer guns will be on the streets of New Jersey,” said Assemblyman Kean.

The Assemblyman also announced he is sponsoring legislation that would provide funding for surveillance equipment to be installed in Asbury Park. Other communities in New Jersey such as Jersey City and East Orange have been using surveillance equipment to reduce crime in the community. In East Orange from 2003-2006, the crime rate declined 50 percent with murders and car thefts down two thirds and robberies down by half.

Kean remarked, “I believe surveillance equipment will be very beneficial to reducing crime in Asbury Park. This technology can greatly assist the police by allowing them to see what is going on in the community without physically being present.”

Assemblyman Kean will introduce both measures in November when the Legislature reconvenes.

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