Christie Signs 10 Gun Bills, But Leaves Controversial Ones on Desk

Gov. Chris Christie signed 10 gun bills today, ranging from measures aimed at stiffening penalties for the unlawful possession and smuggling of firearms to requiring the state to submit mental health records to the federal government.

 
But the governor left five weapons-related bills on his desk, including some that could prove thorny as he campaigns for re-election in November and a possible presidential run in 2016.
 
One measure (S2723) awaiting Christie’s signature and sponsored by Senate President Stephen Sweeney would overhaul how the state issues firearm permits and require buyers to show they have completed a safety-training course.
 
Another bill (A3659) that the governor promoted would ban .50 caliber rifles, the most powerful weapon available to non-military personnel. And a third (A3797) would require law-enforcement agencies to report to federal databases information on guns that are illegal, used in crimes, lost, stolen or discarded.
 
The governor, who is on vacation this week, gave no indication whether he planned to sign or veto the remaining bills. Last week he said he would probably act on all of them within the next “week or two.”
 
The package of bills Christie signed yesterday had for the most part sailed through the Legislature with bipartisan support and without inflaming supporters or opponents of gun control.