NJ sues gun vendors again over ignored demands for details on high-capacity magazine sales

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Two Florida gun vendors who previously sold illegal high-capacity magazines to New Jersey residents have ignored the state’s demands to turn over information on their previous sales, the Attorney General's Office said in lawsuits announced Friday.

The vendors — Elite Aluminum of Holly Hill, Florida, and 22Mods4All of Longwood, Florida — stopped selling magazines that hold 10 or more rounds into New Jersey after Attorney General Gurbir Grewal sent them cease-and-desist letters in January, according to a statement from his office. But the companies allegedly rejected Grewal's appeals to turn over documents showing their previous sales in the state, despite subpoenas ordering them to do so.

“The companies we’re going after today have repeatedly stonewalled and withheld evidence from investigators," Grewal said. " These lawsuits serve as yet another warning to the industry: hide the extent of your unlawful sales from our investigators, and we will see you in court.”

Grewal's complaints, filed in state Superior Court in Newark, claim the companies broke the state’s Consumer Fraud Act by selling illegal magazines to New Jersey customers. They also outline the companies' failure to comply with the subpoenas, which were sent this summer and asked for five years’ worth of data.

Grewal said the information would help the state identify the extent of the companies' illegal sales and alleged legal violations. But 22Mods4All did not respond at all, he said, while Elite Aluminum failed to supply the demanded documents.

"These two sellers have had ample warning and time to cooperate," said Paul R. Rodríguez, the acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "Their time has run out, and we’re taking them to court.”

Neither company responded to requests for comment Friday.

New Jersey outlawed magazines of more than 15 rounds about three decades ago. Last summer, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a package of gun control laws that dropped that limit to 10, tightening an already strict rule.

Despite this, both companies continued selling to New Jersey customers, Grewal’s complaint said.

Elite Aluminum sold and delivered eight 30-round magazines to state investigators three different times last year, the statement said. And 22Mods4All sent nine 30-round magazines to undercover investigators in 2018, it said. Both appear to have ended the practice.

Possessing a large capacity magazine is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison and $10,000 in fines, according to state law.

Earlier this year, Grewal sued a Nevada company after it ignored a cease-and-desist letter and allegedly sold high-capacity magazines to a state investigator. And in March, Grewal sued a California-based "ghost gun" company for marketing and offering the guns to New Jersey residents.

Steve Janoski covers law enforcement for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news about those who safeguard your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: janoski@northjersey.com Twitter: @stevejanoski

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