SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 45

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 13, 2024

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 45.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this joint resolution designates June of each year as “Gun Violence Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

     According to the sponsor, firearm violence has a devastating effect on communities within the United States, including, but not limited to, increased healthcare costs, increased criminal justice costs, increased costs to employers, and the lost wages of gunshot victims.  Communities also may experience lowered property values, neighborhood flight due to safety concerns, and lost business opportunities due to crimes committed by individuals with firearms.

      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 amendments update certain statistics in the resolution.