Now Christie’s administration is facing a gun issue that began unfolding long before it got to Trenton.

In my front-page story on the emergence of smart guns, I noted that New Jersey passed a controversial law in 2002 mandating that, as I put it, “only smart guns be sold in the state within three years of a smart gun being sold anywhere in the country.”

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A smart gun is now on sale in California.

The N.J. law requires the state attorney general to certify that the gun is for sale, whether it meets the definition under the law, and to notify the governor and legislature.

In New Jersey, the attorney general is appointed by the governor. The current office holder is John Jay Hoffman, who took the role in an acting position, replacing Jeffrey Chiesa, who resigned to temporarily fill the senate seat of Frank Lautenberg after he died.

I made requests for comment to Hoffman’s representatives, but never heard anything back.

Meanwhile, the primary sponsor of the New Jersey law, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D), sent a letter to Hoffman after she learned last month that a smart gun in California could be on sale soon. The Democrat reminded Hoffman of his responsibilities under the law.

“I expect your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your reply,” Weinberg wrote.