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The Christie administration has proposed tighter security measures for gun retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, and their employees, to better protect against weapon theft. (File photo)

TRENTON — The Christie administration has proposed tighter security requirements for gun retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, and their employees, in response to several thefts and lapses in oversight during the past decade that led to at least one death.

The rules, proposed last month by the State Police, come as Gov. Chris Christie considers a possible run for the White House in 2016. A successful campaign would require him to do well in rural, gun-loving states including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, which all hold early presidential caucuses or primaries.

Just last month, Christie said in a television interview that the extensive gun laws in New Jersey, a majority Democratic state, "might be a little too strict."

The new rules would require dealers to immediately notify state and local police if their security systems fail. If a system cannot be fixed within 24 hours, the dealer may move the guns to another licensed location with approval of the State Police.

The proposal would require no guns or ammunition be stored at a location other than the licensed premises without permission from State Police. Also, dealers would have to report lost or stolen guns within 24 hours, down from the current 48 hours.

Other changes include requiring dealers and manufacturers to make gun records available for inspection to State Police, and prohibiting anyone on the Terror Watch List from being issued a permit to purchase a handgun or firearms identification card.

The new rules, published Dec. 15 in the New Jersey Register, are intended to hold the state's approximately 377 licensed retail and registered wholesale dealers and manufacturers "more accountable for their employees and inventory of firearms."

"In the past 10 years, there have been numerous incidents of thefts, some resulting in catastrophic consequences," the State Police wrote in the rule proposal.

For example, in 2003, a Washington Township, Warren County, police officer was shot with a gun built out of stolen parts the shooter illegally obtained as an employee of a retailer, State Police said in the proposal. In a 2007 inspection of the same dealership, approximately 40 guns were unaccounted for in the inventory, State Police said.

Also that year, in a two-month period, another large dealership had 62 guns stolen, State Police said. In 2004, another dealership was burglarized, resulting in the theft of eight handguns and a large amount of ammunition, according to State Police. As a result, an accidental shooting occurred, killing one of three juveniles involved in the theft.

"From 2012 to the present time, there have been six reported incidents of thefts and/or lost firearms from retail dealers," State Police said in the proposal. "It is critical and in the best interest of public safety, health, and welfare that retail and wholesale dealers and manufacturers of firearms be held to the highest standards of security to prohibit the possibility of a firearm being used in the commission of a violent crime."

A spokesman for the State Police, Capt. Stephen Jones, said the amendments were recommended by the division's firearms unit to "try to close perceived safety problems." He said they were reviewed and approved by acting state Attorney General John Hoffman. Christie's office did not return a request for comment.

The rule proposal would also require that employees obtain a retail license in order to access any records of gun buying and selling kept by a dealer, and that separate licenses must be held for each location where the employee works.

"The division believes that any negative economic impact on the firearms industry resulting from implementation of the proposed amendments and new rules is more than offset by greater accountability and integrity within the industry and an overall positive impact on public welfare and safety," according to the rule proposal.

Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of NJ Rifle & Pistol Clubs, said his group and a Second Amendment lawyer were reviewing the proposal. Public comments on the proposal can be submitted by Feb. 13 to the State Police Firearms Investigation Unit.

Christopher Baxter may be reached at cbaxter@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cbaxter1. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.