TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey moved closer on Monday to becoming the fourth state to prohibit people from buying more than one handgun a month when the Assembly voted 51-25 to impose the proposed limit. Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, a bill sponsor, represents Jersey City, which last year adopted its own law making it illegal to buy more than one handgun per month. That measure was struck down by a judge who ruled the local law pre-empted state authority.
"I personally can see no reason why anyone would want to go out and buy guns in multiples," said Quigley, D-Hudson.
Jersey City's mayor, Jerramiah T. Healy, is among those pushing for the state law, which would exempt law enforcement agencies and officers purchasing handguns for law enforcement use. Certain gun collectors also would be exempted.
The Senate has not considered the bill, but if the measure is approved, New Jersey would join Virginia, Maryland and California as states that restrict people to buying one handgun per month. California was the last state to adopt such a law, doing so in 1998, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The bill is opposed by gun rights groups.
"Rationing firearms to responsible citizens to reduce gun crime makes about as much sense as rationing knives to restaurant-goers to reduce stabbings," said Scott L. Bach, president of the New Jersey Association of Rifle and Pistol Clubs , the National Rifle Association's state organization.
The proposal comes with New Jersey increasingly concerned about gun crimes, particularly from street gangs.
Last year, authorities in Newark, Irvington and Camden seized 114 firearms, up from 86 in 2005. Meanwhile, homicides in Newark have jumped from 65 in 2002 to 113 last year, with nonfatal shootings also on the rise.