Ammunition still getting into the wrong hands in New Jersey

Despite legislation enacted a decade ago, individuals who aren’t supposed to be able to buy ammunition in the Garden State still can, according to the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation.

It has recommended more be done to prevent that.

Lee Seglem, acting executive director of the commission, said undercover agents who made test buys at licensed gun shops were asked for legally required firearms identification credentials but did not have to show a photo ID to verify their identity.

“We need to see photographic IDs put on the firearms identification cards so that we know who they are who are buying the ammo,” Seglem said. “In our past investigation, we found that gang members, convicted felons, people like, that were gaining access to handgun ammunition. That’s not a good thing in terms of public safety.”

An antiquated system for gun shops to record basic information about buyers makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor those sales, he said.

“It’s a hand-done system, basically on paper. It’s not updated regularly,” Seglem said. “We think the system needs to be computerized and updated in a way so that law enforcement can keep easy track of these transactions. We think this would go a long way toward controlling who has access to ammunition here.”