MORRISTOWN

— Two groups concerned about gun violence are focusing their efforts on 11th-District Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen this week, asking him to support universal background checks and other weapons restrictions.

For his part the Republican congressman is saying only that he'll be eager to be involved in the gun control debate as proposals make their way to the House.

The Morris-Area Committee to Reduce Gun Violence on Wednesday brought to the congressman's Morristown office 135 letters by attendees of its "

Have A Heart, Take a Stand"

rally, held last week on the Morristown Green. That rally had been held on the two-month anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. that killed 20 children and six adults.

N.J. residents petition against gun violence 8 Gallery: N.J. residents petition against gun violence

"Even since Sandy Hook, there have been over a thousand more gun deaths in this country. This is a disgrace for a 'civilized' nation," a sample version of the letter states.



Frelinghuysen was not at his Morristown office at the time, but his staff accepted the letters, as well as a tri-fold display with photos from the rally, paper hearts and written statements.



The Morris-Area group said in an advisory about the hand-off it is "urging Congressman Frelinghuysen to take the lead in the New Jersey Congressional Delegation on gun safety legislation by voting yes to new and stronger common-sense gun laws — universal background checks, limiting of high-capacity magazines, and gun-trafficking reforms."

Other groups are gathering at Frelinghuysen's office at 1 p.m. Friday with plans to deliver a petition with similar goals.

Members of the Morris-Area Committee to Reduce Gun Violence delivered this tri-fold to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's office Wednesday.

Organized under the Morris and Essex County Chapters of Organizing for Action, the groups say they've collected 5,000 signatures asking Frelinghuysen to support the "Fix Gun Checks Act," which would require background checks for nearly all gun purchases.



The act also provides penalties for states that don't report required data to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and expands the legal definition of "adjudicated as a mental defective" to prevent certain individuals from qualifying to purchase firearms. It makes certain exceptions to the background-check rule, such as in the case of giving a gift to a family member.



The Organizing for Actions chapter said its petition hand-off is being coordinated with activities elsewhere in New Jersey and in other states. Also participating are Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in

America, the Million Moms March New Jersey Chapter, BlueWaveNJ, and Residents for Action on Gun

Control.



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Organizer Kim Hurdman said she participated in the Morris Area group's rally last week, though that group is not directly involved in Friday's activity.

"I have been pleased to receive petitions from groups that seek a range of new gun control measures and groups and individuals who believe additional laws are unnecessary or unwise," Frelinghuysen said in a statement his office provided in response to inquiries about the letters and petition. "The president has put forward a broad agenda which has prompted a wide-ranging discussion. Diminishing violence is a goal everyone can support and I look forward to participating in the debate when specific proposals come before the House."