N.J. Senate gun bills include plan for instant background check

Democrats in the New Jersey Senate are proposing their own measures to reduce gun violence.

One new proposal calls for a photo ID that would allow for instant background checks on gun buyers.

Senate President Steve Sweeney says that bill could be a model for the nation.

“You could have a permit to have a gun and then have assaulted your wife and been arrested,” said Sweeney, D-Gloucester. “We’ll pick that up and you couldn’t buy another gun because as soon as it goes on you record we’ll have it.”

The Senate bills also call for increased penalties for buying guns for people who are not eligible to own them, known as straw purchases, as well as allowing authorities to seize vehicles used by illegal gun traffickers.

The Senate measures do not include the limits on gun magazine capacity that the Assembly approved in February.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, who has been pushing for tougher gun control measures, said she’s satisfied with the Senate version of the proposals.

“I think that we’re going to be doing something that’s meaningful in terms of safety for our citizens which is the object of all of this, getting guns away from the bad guys. I think it’s a comprehensive package that we’re looking at,” said Weinberg, D-Bergen.

Gov. Chris Christie is expected to announce his own proposals in response to the 50 or so recommendations made by his task force on guns and violence.