Trenton, NJ –-(Ammoland.com)- In a dramatic upset in the timing of the “centerpiece” of the Democrats’ gun bill package, the New Jersey Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee today failed to muster enough votes to pass S2723/A4182 out of committee.
In a stunning turn of events, it became apparent during a roll call vote that there were not a sufficient number of Democratic votes for the bill. Rather than complete the roll call as required by legislative rules, chaos and confusion ensued as the committee chairman and staffers halted the proceedings mid-roll- call and huddled in an adjacent room while they figured out what to do. Republican members of the committee protested the unprecedented procedure and argued with the chairman.
Rather than completing the embarrassing vote, the chairman made a face-saving announcement that the bill was being “held” for further amendment at a future meeting.
It is highly irregular, and likely against legislative rules, to halt a vote once it has begun.
It is anticipated that the bill will resurface at another Assembly committee meeting later this month, where Democrats will use legislative maneuvers to either change the committee members to ensure a favorable outcome, or move the bill through an entirely different committee where they can better control the outcome.
“The game is completely rigged in Trenton,” said ANJRPC Executive Director Scott Bach. “The Democrats suffered an embarrassing delay today, but they will be back with a vengeance and attempt every procedural trick in the book to ensure the passage of their centerpiece bill.”
The stalled Sweeney bill throws out existing FID cards and replaces them with either a privacy-invading driver license endorsement or other form of ID; suspends Second Amendment rights without proof of firearms training; imposes a 7-day waiting period for handgun purchases; ends all private sales; and effectively creates a registry of ammunition purchases and long gun sales. Democrats have touted the bill as a national model.
Leading up to the unusual committee result, there was sharp testimony from several gun rights activists, including ANJRPC Executive Director Scott Bach, who ripped the bill as “a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist” and “an irrational attack” on gun owners. Bach mocked the suggestion that New Jersey is a “national model” for anything, told legislators to leave responsible gun owners alone, and urged them to pull their “centerpiece” off the table. Apparently, some Democrats agreed.
A recording of the hearing can be accessed here (scroll to Thursday, June 6, 2013, then click “listen”). Bach’s full statement is available here.
Other bills on the agenda passed out of committee, but those bills have either been previously amended so they only impact criminals, or they do not impact Second Amendment rights.
Additional details on today’s events will be forthcoming.
About Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs:The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, Inc. is the official NRA State Association in New Jersey. Our mission is to implement all of the programs and activities at the state level that the NRA does at the national level. This mission includes the following: To support and defend the constitutional rights of the people to keep and bear arms. To take immediate action against any legislation at the local, state and federal level that would infringe upon these rights. Visit: www.anjrpc.org
Clear violation of procedure and Roberts Rules….
“When you can’t win by the rules, throw them out. A classic example of liberal behavior.”
All members of the ruling class indulge in this behavior, no matter their political stripe. Laws and rules are for the peons.
Hi Folks: Just a few words here. Please take this with the sincerity with which it is given. I see that you folks know in your heart the truth but you need to inform your minds and those of your children. I hear many voices here. They speak in the same tone but the words are diverse. In order to make all the words alike the minds must be alike. To do this mind the real words of the Framers. Study their words to know the truth. We have not been taught the truth since childhood. The attorneys do not… Read more »
Trenton New Jersey – the site where George Washington turned the entire American Revolution around that resulted in the birth of this great nation. Now look at it. Seems to me the people of New Jersey have decided to say ‘no’ to Benjamin Franklin’s question and now the dolts want to call it a “national model”? Kudos to Scott Bach for helping put a stop to more crap.
“We don’t have the votes? Okay, meeting adjourned. We’ll come back when we’ve figured out how to get around the rules.” NJ thug politics.
It seems like New Jersey is quickly trying to become another Chicago. The representatives there are turning to Chicago tactics to try and handcuff the people of that state. If the people of New Jersey don’t stand up for their rights they soon shall not have any. Wake up America the beast is upon you.
Although I agree with about 90% of what you’ve said, I have to wonder if you are actually from New Jersey or just paid by the NRA. If you were really from NJ, you would immediately realize that you have a photo of Steven Sweeney, who is NOT a member of the Assembly, but is the President of the NJ Senate. In fact, Steven Sweeney is from a gun loving part of the state here in Southern New Jersey and is probably the main reason much of the draconian laws that have passed in New York and Connecticut have not… Read more »
The 14th Amendment cannot be “legislated” out of existence, especially now that it has been “fully incorporated” within the 2d Amendment, i.e., I have a “privilege” to CCW in North Carolina…that allows me to move about the entire USA with this “privilege of Citizenship” under the 2nd Amendment Bill of Rights, and New Jersey MUST honor this RIGHT. NYS — SAME!! Illinois — SAME!! ALL the States MUST abide by the 14th Amendment; “Full Incorporation” by the Supreme Court is the “Law of the Land” and is the Supreme Law of the Land. The “restrictions” outlined by the SC are… Read more »
The Democrats in this State have their heads up their own as**s. Everything they talk about has to do with “feelings or thoughts” instead of the real problems and real solutions. The Democrats in this State drove me out of business because I refused to pay 2000.00 per plate for chicken at a fundraising dinner. Pay to play is alive and well in NJ. This state would rather have non working class people than employers paying taxes and creating jobs. Unless your a Democrat, then you can have federal monies too. Hypocrisy at its best.
Keeping the heat on by e-mails & phone calls does work. Let these people know that they will be held accountable for the way they vote.
“From my cold, dead hands.”
What democrats are all about is clear. The democrat party purview is to alter the Constitution to decrease the power of WE the People and increase the power of the government. They mock at the notion of President Lincoln, “… government of the people, by the people, for the people…”.
If you don’t know what democrats are all about by know, you never will.
Thank GOD, something is going Correctly in this Country.
When you can’t win by the rules, throw them out. A classic example of liberal behavior. Is it any wonder that they look at that Constitution as if it were a roll of toilet paper? I hope someone challenges the legality of the move and shows them for what they are… cheats, thieves and hypocrits!