TRENTON — As Gov. Chris Christie launches a campaign for the 2016 Republican nomination for president, here is an ongoing look at his record on key issues.

GUN CONTROL

Christie has not made any significant moves to loosen New Jersey's stringent regulations on gun ownership, but he's vetoed most bills that would have tightened them.



And in at least one case, Christie contradicted himself on gun control.



For instance, in 2013 Christie proposed banning sales of the .50 caliber rifle — a particularly large and expensive gun. When the state Legislature sent him a bill to do just that, Christie vetoed it, saying it went far beyond his own "narrowly crafted, prospective limitation."

MORE:

Christie's record on other issues

But Christie never made any such proposal beyond one sentence in a press release that called for banning the sales. And Democratic legislative leaders said the governor never discussed the proposal with him.



Christie also vetoed a controversial bill that had been pushed for by parents of children killed in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting that would further limit the permitted size of ammunition magazines in New Jersey, from a capacity of 15 rounds to 10 rounds. He also vetoed a far-reaching proposal that would have encoded firearm purchase permits on driver's licenses and required gun buyers to show they've completed a safety training course.

And on the eve of his presidential announcement, Christie announced a change to state firearm policy on an issue that has been riling gun rights activists. Reacting to the June 3 death of 39-year-old Berlin Township woman Carol Bowne, the governor announced that acting state Attorney General John Hoffman will file a new regulation to require applications for gun permits for victims of domestic violence, other violent crimes or "those living under a direct or material threat" be processed "quickly and without delay."



But Christie did sign less far-reaching gun control bills, including banning those on the federal terrorism watch list from buying guns and enhancing penalties for gun trafficking and illegal gun possession.



Christie also made news for leaving it to county prosecutors instead of his own administration's lawyers in the attorney general's office to defend the state's law on requiring those seeking a permit to carry a handgun demonstrate a "justifiable need." Administration lawyers did defend the law in federal court, however.

Gov. Christie's Town Hall Meeting at Shooters Sports Pub 22 Gallery: Gov. Christie's Town Hall Meeting at Shooters Sports Pub

MORE CHRIS CHRISTIE