Urges President and Congress of United States to enact assault weapons ban including prohibition against large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Summary
ACR124 is a concurrent resolution that urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact a federal assault weapons ban, including a prohibition on large capacity ammunition feeding devices such as magazines or clips. The resolution states that any new or reauthorized ban should prohibit the manufacture, transfer, and possession of assault weapons, as well as the transfer and possession of large-capacity devices.
The resolution frames the issue as a public safety and law enforcement concern, citing the expiration of the federal 1994 assault weapons ban in 2004 and referencing high-profile mass shootings, including the Arizona shooting involving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. It also notes that New Jersey already enacted its own assault weapons and large-capacity device restrictions in 1990, and uses that state policy as support for urging federal action.
Impact
Because ACR124 is a concurrent resolution, it does not change New Jersey statutory law or create new criminal penalties. Its legal effect is limited to expressing the Legislature’s position and directing that copies be sent to federal leaders and New Jersey’s congressional delegation. The practical impact is political: it seeks to influence federal firearms policy and reinforces New Jersey’s existing state-level restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of gun restrictions, particularly on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The resolution presents the measure as a public safety response to violent crime and mass shootings, and there is no recorded committee testimony or vote history in the provided materials indicating opposition or amendment activity. Based on the available record, the bill appears to have been introduced as a clear advocacy statement rather than a contested policy package.
Contention
The main point of contention inherent in the resolution is the underlying debate over federal gun control, especially whether assault weapons and large-capacity magazines should be banned. Supporters, as reflected in the resolution, emphasize law enforcement safety, mass shooting prevention, and the view that such firearms are designed for rapid lethal use rather than sport or hunting. Potential opponents would likely object on Second Amendment, firearm ownership, and legislative overreach grounds, but no opposing arguments, votes, or committee remarks are included in the provided record.
Carry Over
Urges President and Congress of United States to enact assault weapons ban including prohibition against large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
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