Although New Jersey’s gun laws seem to be failing in court, that hasn’t stopped the state’s Congressional delegation from attempting to tackle the issue at the national level.
Both of New Jersey’s Senators were joined by seven Congress members in reintroducing the Safe Gun Storage Act, also known as Ethan’s Law, to require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms.
With 4.6 million American minors estimated to live in a home with loaded and unlocked guns, the issue is a pressing one that results in the killing or injuring of eight children or teens every day.
Federal Action
“As recent tragedies have shown, it’s more important than ever to keep guns out of the hands of children or anyone else who could pose a risk to others. This law has a simple objective: storing guns safely and securely to save lives,” said Menendez.
“Congress must continue to make progress towards keeping American families and communities safe and this common-sense legislation would do that, ultimately helping reduce the gun violence epidemic that has taken the lives of too many Americans.”
Bicameral Bill
The Senators sponsored the legislation while New Jersey Dem Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Bill Pascrell Jr., Donald Payne Jr., Mikie Sherrill, Andy Kim, Frank Pallone, and Bonnie Watson Coleman were among the 150 cosponsors of the companion legislation introduced in the house.
Under the legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) would be required to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes and establish strong penalties for any violations.
Owners of guns would be required to secure firearms in a “secure gun storage or safety device” if a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm. Additionally, these rules would extend to a resident of a dwelling if they cannot legally possess a firearm under existing law.
Remembering Ethan Song
The law was named in honor of Ethan Song, a teenager from Guildford, CT, who was tragically killed in 2018 by an unsecured gun in a neighbor’s home.
Booker argued what had happened to Ethan was a preventable tragedy, and that the country must do more to protect its children from such gun violence.
“No family should have to experience the profound grief that comes with losing a loved one because of an unsecured weapon in a home. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation that will set federal standards for the safe storage of firearms and save lives,” he said.
Guns were ubiquitous in American homes since (and before) the founding of the republic (yes, we’re a republic, not a democracy). And they weren’t kept in “secured gun storage.” So rather than ask the tough question – why are kids only now committing atrocities with guns – the politicians instead rush to cancel more of our Constitutional liberties. A gun that is disabled with a “safety device” would likely be useless in a personal defense situation. The pols know that, but only care about scoring political points…
Mr. Menéndez Gun control is unless apply the laws works. It’s useless your laws they do nothing. Total waste of time they are unconstitutional. They worked well in Cuba maybe you support the communist party.