SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1558

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 19, 2025

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1558.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1558 upgrades the penalty for: purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number; manufacturing a firearm with a three-dimensional printer; distributing digital instructions to an unlicensed person to manufacture a firearm or certain components of a firearm using a three-dimensional printer; manufacturing a covert or undetectable firearm; and transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number from second degree crimes to first degree crimes.

     Under current law, it is a second 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 with the purpose to manufacture or assemble a firearm;

· 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;

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

· to transport, ship, sell, or dispose of a firearm manufactured without a serial number.

     The bill’s provisions upgrade each of these offenses to first degree crimes.  A crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. A crime of the first degree is punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $200,000, or both.

     The bill also clarifies that the prohibition on purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number under current law also includes a prohibition on possessing or otherwise obtaining firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number.

     In addition, the bill clarifies that the prohibition on transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number under current law also applies to a firearm frame or firearm receiver, separately or as part of a kit, in addition to firearms.

     Finally, the bill provides that current law prohibiting transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number does not apply to a firearm which is not required to be imprinted with a serial number in accordance with federal law.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      1) clarify that the prohibition on purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number under current law also includes a prohibition on possessing or otherwise obtaining firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number;

      2) clarify that the prohibition on transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number under current law also applies to a firearm frame or firearm receiver, separately or as part of a kit, in addition to firearms; and

      3) provide that current law prohibiting transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number does not apply to a firearm which is not required to be imprinted with a serial number in accordance with federal law.