handgun

A state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow New Jersey's legislators and judges to obtain a permit to carry a handgun, as long as they complete eight hours of firearms training.

(File photos)

TRENTON -- In a move likely to rankle advocates on both sides of the gun rights debate, a veteran state lawmaker is seeking to make it legal for New Jersey's legislators and judges to carry handguns.

Under a bill introduced by state Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen), the 120 members of the New Jersey Legislature and the hundreds of judges at the state's superior and municipal court levels would be allowed to obtain carry permits if they complete at least eight hours of firearms training.

It is not clear if members of the state Supreme Court would also be included.

Cardinale, a member of the Legislature since 1980 who has frequently fought to loosen New Jersey's famously tight gun control laws, explained that lawmakers and judges face a greater risk of being attacked than most citizens.

"This measure will ensure that public servants have the means to protect themselves from those who might violently disagree with their viewpoints or decisions," he said in a statement. "A judge should feel safe returning home each night no matter how they ruled or what they ruled on that day."

Cardinale did not immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media seeking comment.

New Jersey is frequently cited as the state with the second-strictest gun control laws in the U.S., after New York.

The state currently requires applicants seeking a permit to carry a hand gun to show a "justifiable need" to protect themselves and that the danger to their life cannot be avoided by means other than the firearm.

Cardinale's bill (S1982) would make lawmakers and judges exempt from the "justifiable need" rule. They would be required to show they were trained and do not have any disabilities that would exclude them under the current law.

But Bryan Miller, executive director of Heeding God's Call, a pro-gun control group, called the measure "ridiculous."

"It ignores data that shows if you carry a gun, you are four or five times more likely to be shot than someone not carrying a gun," Miller said.

"Gerry's been trying to arm the public for 20 years," he added. "It hasn't worked and it won't work in this state."

Cardinale has sponsored a few bills throughout the years that would make it easier for New Jerseyans to get concealed-carry permits, but none have ever been approved by the Legislature.

Alexander Roubian, president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, a gun rights group, is also against Cardinale's new proposal, saying he's "dumbfounded and insulted by the senator's logic."

"New Jersey legislators truly operate as a fiefdom," Roubian said. "Their mentality of 'good for thee but not for me' radiates in this proposed bill. Why are the politicians and judges more important than regular citizens?"

Cardinale said the new bill was inspired in part by the 2011 shooting of then-U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was severely wounded during a mass shooting at a public event at an Arizona supermarket.

Giffords has since become a an advocate for tighter gun laws. She even visited Trenton last year to lobby for a bill that would have strengthened a New Jersey law banning convicted domestic violence offenders and those subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed the measure.

Cardinale also referenced how a Texas judge was wounded in a shooting in November outside of her him in Austin.

"I believe that if vulnerable public officials do not have to fear violent reprisals related to their duties, they will be able to better carry out their mission to serve the people of New Jersey," Cardinale said.

The bill would need to be passed by both houses of the Legislature -- the Senate and Assembly -- and then signed by Christie to become law.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.