New Jersey raises bar to get concealed gun permits

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said private citizens who want to get a handgun carry permit should have to demonstrate a specific threat to their life.

At the Trenton YMCA, Governor Murphy announces plans to reverse Christie concealed handgun carry rules  (Phil Gregory/WHYY)

At the Trenton YMCA, Governor Murphy announces plans to reverse Christie concealed handgun carry rules (Phil Gregory/WHYY)

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says his administration will reverse the Christie administration’s regulations that make it easier to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

“New Jersey cannot and must not become part of the race to the bottom that we’re seeing across the country. There are already too many guns on our streets and simply adding more into the equation will not make us or our communities any safer.”

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said private citizens who want to get a handgun carry permit should have to demonstrate a specific threat to their life, not just generalized serious threats.

“We’re going to go back and we’re going to reopen the rulemaking process that led to that amendment during the last administration, and we’re going to return the rule to what it was before that amendment.”

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Senate President Steve Sweeney said the legislature vehemently opposed the change Christie made last year and is pleased the Murphy administration is rescinding the looser restrictions.

Murphy indicated he plans to take additional steps to reduce gun violence.

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