SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2846

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2022

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2846.

As reported by the committee, this bill upgrades purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number; manufacturing a firearm with a three-dimensional printer; manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm; and transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number from third degree crimes to second degree crimes.

     Under current law, it is a third degree crime for a person:

· not licensed as a manufacturer to purchase or otherwise obtain separately or as part of a kit a firearm frame or firearm receiver which is not imprinted with a serial number;

· not licensed as a manufacturer to manufacture a firearm or certain components of a firearm using a three-dimensional printer;

· to distribute to an unlicensed person, including via the Internet, digital instructions to manufacture a firearm or certain components of a firearm using a three-dimensional printer; and

· to manufacture, cause to be manufacture, transport, ship, sell or dispose of any covert firearm or undetectable firearm.

     The bill’s provisions upgrade each these offenses to second degree crimes.  A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.  A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.