Christie proposes measures to curb violence in N.J.

    In an effort to reduce violence in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie has proposed a series of measures.

     

    Christie said he wants to expand the state’s stringent gun-control requirements, make it easier to commit potentially dangerous people with mental health problems, and increase criminal penalties for gun-related crimes.

    The governor says it’s hard to quantify what effect his proposals would have.

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    “Bad people are going to do bad things. Would greater penalties deter people? You hope they do,” he said Friday. “That’s part of our philosophy of law enforcement in this country, but it’s hard for me to sit here today and say if all these things got imposed we’d see an x percentage drop in gun violence in the state. I don’t know.”

    Christie also wants a law requiring parental consent for children to purchase violent video games.

    The Assembly already has passed a series of gun control laws, and the Senate is considering some other bills.

    Christie says he’ll consider any measure that the Legislature approves.

    His proposals follow the recommendations made by a panel he appointed to study the issue of violence.

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