ASSEMBLY, No. 3252

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 22, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  SAMUEL L. FIOCCHI

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Clarifies that law enforcement officers may possess firearms in casinos.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning firearms and law enforcement officers and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a law enforcement officer may possess a firearm in a casino or casino simulcasting facility if that officer is otherwise authorized to possess the firearm under the provision of N.J.S.2C:39-6. The law enforcement officer shall not be required to first obtain the express written approval of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

     b. For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" means a person employed as a permanent full-time member of any federal, State, county or municipal law enforcement agency, department, or division of those governments who is statutorily empowered to act for the detection, investigation, arrest, and conviction of persons violating the criminal laws of this State or of the United States.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill clarifies that a law enforcement officer may carry a firearm on casino property if that officer is otherwise authorized to possess the firearm under the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-6.

     Under current regulation, at N.J.A.C.19:45-1.13, no person may possess or be permitted to possess any pistol or firearm within a casino or casino simulcasting facility without the express written approval of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The regulation provides an exception for employees and agents of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, but does not include an exception for law enforcement officers.

     The bill specifies that a law enforcement officer may possess a firearm in a casino or casino simulcasting facility, provided the officer is otherwise authorized to so under N.J.S.2C:39-6. The bill further clarifies that receipt of express, written permission from the commission is not required.

     For purposes of the bill, "law enforcement officer" means a person employed as a permanent full-time member of any federal, State, county or municipal law enforcement agency, department, or division of those governments who is statutorily empowered to act for the detection, investigation, arrest, and conviction of persons violating the criminal laws of this State or of the United States.