TRENTON — Months after the slaying of 20 first-graders and six educators in Newtown, Conn., Gov. Chris Christie unveiled a plan today to reduce gun violence by strengthening background checks and making it easier to commit the mentally ill.

Christie said his proposal addressed not only New Jersey’s gun laws — among the nation’s strictest — but also violence in video games and ways to deter criminals by imposing stiffer sentences.

"Boston is yet another painful reminder that no matter what we do, no matter how hard we try, there is the unfortunate and harsh reality that you’re never going to be able to prevent all violent acts," Christie said at a Statehouse news conference, referring to the marathon bombings.

While Second Amendment advocates offered cautious praise, supporters of stiffer gun control measures labeled Christie’s plan "gun safety light."

New Jersey already bans assault weapons, requires a seven-day waiting period before buying a handgun, and limits purchases to one a month.

The Republican governor offered his plan just days after the U.S. Senate voted down a bill sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) that would have expanded background checks at gun shows.

Christie emphasized the law would not have applied in New Jersey, where state law prohibits gun shows.

He took no position on many of the issues addressed in 22 gun bills the state Assembly passed in February, including weapon-free school zones, background checks for private gun sales and mandatory safety training.

The governor said he did support a ban on the Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle and identical weapons, which is similar to a bill in the Assembly package, but not lowering the size of magazines to 10 rounds from 15.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said that her chamber would consider Christie’s proposals but that she was concerned about what he omitted.

"We will certainly take a close look at these proposals … the Assembly has already passed an anti-gun violence package and that should be considered in concert with the plans laid out today," Oliver said in a statement.

Senate leaders hope to introduce their own package of bills on Monday.

Christie’s most controversial proposal would make it easier for health care professionals and courts to commit people to institutions or order them to undergo mandatory outpatient treatment.

"It’s an uncomfortable subject, but the fact is what’s much more uncomfortable is watching that deeply disturbed young man kill 26 people in Newtown," he said.

He said he would be willing to reopen the Sen. Garrett W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Hunterdon County, which his administration closed last June, should the need arise.

Christie also said he would make the sellers of violent video games post industry-issued ratings and require parental consent for games rated "mature" or "adult only." And he issued a litany of stronger penalties for those found guilty of selling firearms to convicted criminals, hiring "straw purchasers," and possessing guns and ammunition with plans to illegally transfer or traffic them.

"Legal gun owners in this country don’t commit crimes with their firearms … they comply with the law," he said.

Christie’s view echoed the sentiment of Robert Barush of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society. "In theory we’re okay with that as long as the law distinguishes between legal behavior and illegal behavior," he said.

But Bryan Miller, executive director of Heeding God’s Call, a faith-based organization focused on gun violence, said laws in other states were fast surpassing New Jersey, "and I don’t think New Jersey citizens are going to stand for being fourth or fifth."

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