A pair of law enforcement directives should help New Jersey police officers to monitor the effects of an increase in firearm carry applications and how it could impact violence gun crimes.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the directives (Directive 2023-02 and an amendment to Directive 2008-01) in earlier this Summer to empower law enforcement as it investigated gun crimes.
“Law enforcement is now the ultimate decision maker in approving or denying applications for permits to carry handguns, and we must be aware of the impact,” said Platkin. “This office has long recognized the importance of intelligence-driven violence suppression efforts. The success of our gun violence reduction efforts depends on effective information-sharing and the timely entry and analysis of ballistics evidence.”
Gun Applications
Directive 2023-02 will require all law enforcement agencies responsible for the processing of handgun carry permits to report anonymized data on completed applications to the Attorney General’s Office.
Additionally, the directive requires the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) to create a centralized web portal for the issuance of permits to carry handguns.
Bruen Response
“By implementing these reporting procedures, we will gain better insight into the effect of a higher prevalence of handguns being carried in New Jersey due to the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, and be able to implement public safety policy that is data-informed,” said Platkin.
Records dating back three years, to December 2019, will need to be submitted, as will new permits moving forward. Once NJSP implements the new web portal, the reporting requirements upon other law enforcement agencies will sunset.
“The ability to anonymously track data on the issuance of concealed carry permits is a necessary step to be able to accurately quantify permits that are approved and issued,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, NJSP Superintendent.
Ballistics Evidence
As for Directive 2008-01, its update a plan to combat gun violence through intelligence-led policing. NJSP established the NJ Trace System under the directive, which linked various exciting databases to assist in identifying information on recovered or seized firearms.
The bill required related ballistics evidence like shell casings to be shared, and the updated directive imposes a deadline of two business days for law enforcement to submit such evidence to a forensic laboratory that has the ability to analyze the evidence through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), run by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“While it is important to keep data on legally carried firearms, the mission of removing illegal guns from our neighborhoods continues,” said Platkin “Creating a time sensitive requirement for the submission of ballistic evidence to NIBIN will drastically expedite the process of linking guns to previous crimes and offenders. Holding criminals accountable for their actions will always be a top priority.”
Not one crime has been committed by a legal fire arm carrier to date. Hundreds of crimes have been committed by illegal guns. The state is going after the wrong people and they know it.