SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 1800
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: OCTOBER 15, 2026
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1800.
As reported and amended by the committee, this bill requires firearm wholesale or retail dealers to provide disclosure of a customer’s responsibility to report stolen or lost firearms and advise customers that it is unlawful to purchase a firearm with the intent to unlawfully sell it to any other person.
Under the provisions of this bill, all firearm wholesale and retail dealers are required to provide customers with a disclosure, upon the retail sale or transfer of any firearm, printed in block letters not less than one-fourth of an inch in height. The disclosure is to be signed by the purchaser or transferee. In addition, the firearm wholesale or retail dealer is required to provide the purchaser or transferee with a copy of this written disclosure. The firearm wholesale and retail dealer is required to collect and maintain a copy of each disclosure that is signed by a purchaser or transferee for a period of not less than 15 years. Furthermore, firearm wholesale and retail dealers are required to conspicuously post the same disclosure at each purchase counter.
Specifically, the disclosure advises customers of their responsibility to report a lost or stolen firearm within 36 hours to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality where the loss or theft occurred or to the Superintendent of State Police if the municipality does not have a local police force. In addition, the disclosure advises customers that it is illegal to purchase a firearm with the intent to unlawfully sell it to any other person.
As amended, the bill clarifies that an action to enforce the provisions of this bill may be initiated by any person authorized by law or by a law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in the municipality where the violation occurred. The issuance and service of any complaint, summons, or other process in connection with the action is to be governed by the Rules of Court of the State of New Jersey.
Additionally, as amended, the bill clarifies that if a civil penalty imposed under the bill remains unpaid after becoming a final judgment and after the expiration of any applicable period for payment, the person authorized by law or the law enforcement officer who initiated the enforcement action may pursue collection of the unpaid penalty in accordance with applicable law.
Furthermore, the amended bill clarifies that the provisions of the bill do not require the municipal court to undertake collection activities beyond those required by law or the Rules of Court.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 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 an action to enforce the provisions of this bill may be initiated by any person authorized by law or by a law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in the municipality where the violation occurred and that the issuance and service of any complaint, summons, or other process in connection with the action is to be governed by the Rules of Court of the State of New Jersey;
(2) clarify that if a civil penalty imposed under the bill remains unpaid after becoming a final judgment and after the expiration of any applicable period for payment, the person authorized by law or the law enforcement officer who initiated the enforcement action may pursue collection of the unpaid penalty in accordance with applicable law;
(3) clarify the provisions of the bill do not require the municipal court to undertake collection activities beyond those required by law or the Rules of Court; and
(4) amend the effective date of the bill to take effect on the first day of the fifth month next following the date of enactment.