New Jersey Gun Crime on the Rise

Recent reports indicate that New Jersey cities have been plagued by their highest rate of homicides in years. Although several pieces of gun control legislation have been passed and the state has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, a great deal of crime is attributable to gun violence.

In 2008, the NJ Attorney General’s Office ordered all New Jersey police department to forward gun-tracing requests to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The initiative, known as “NJ Trace,” also called for local police department to forward gun-tracing requests to the NJ State Police. The program has the benefit of allowing the federal and state departments to aggregate the local data from the gun traces in efforts to locate routes for gun trafficking.

In 2012, the ATF published a report releasing information about the geographical locations of gun use. The report encompassed data aggregated from nearly 3,600 guns and highlighted New Jersey cities as the “hot spots” for gun-related crime.

According to the report, the cities with the highest number of recovered guns include: Newark, Camden Jersey City, Paterson, Trenton, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Vineland, Irvington, and East Orange. The report indicates that nearly 2,000 total guns were recovered in these cities. Another 1,600 guns were scattered throughout 341 other localities.

The most common form of gun recovered was a handgun. Approximately 2,900 of the total number of recovered guns were handguns. Interestingly, just 425 of the guns recovered originated from New Jersey, with the rest being imported from other states. The largest quantity of imported guns came from Pennsylvania and a collection of states along the “iron pipeline,” which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida. Since these states have less stringent gun purchasing requirements, they often act as sources of guns for New Jersey and New York.

Illegal handgun charges in New Jersey are addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b). According to the statute, illegal possession of a handgun can be classified as a second or third degree offense, depending on the type of gun involved. For example, illegal possession of a pistol is a third degree offense, punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from three to five years in NJ State Prison.

Possession of other types of handguns can lead to second degree charges, which are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from five to 10 years. Additionally, violations of the statute trigger application of the Graves Act, which imposes a mandatory prison sentence as well as a period of parole ineligibility for those convicted.

Clearly, gun offenses are treated very seriously under NJ law. However, the penalties associated with such offenses have not successfully deterred homicides in the state.

For more information, read the NJ.com article entitled “MAP: Where to N.J. Criminals Get Their Guns? Mostly, Not Here.”

To access the ATF Report, click the following link: New Jersey Firearms Trace Report.

 

If you’ve been charged with a gun crime in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense lawyer Alissa D. Hascup for a free consultation about your case.

Testimonials

  • No promises, just a Pro!

  • Excellent Lawyer... Helped me in every step off my Case..

  • Great work

  • Best lawyer!!

  • FRO removal success!!

  • Easy to work with, straightforward

  • Kept my license

  • Father of client

  • Excellent Attorney , Charges Dismissed as promised

  • Helped every step of the way

  • Avoid mandatory jail time on shoplifting charges

  • GREAT – HONEST- ATTORNEY -AND – VERY GOOD

  • Help

  • Did the job he was hired to do

  • Great lawyer

  • Simple assault charge was dropped

  • Top Notch Representation

  • Well worth it.

  • DUI Case Dismissed

  • 2 felony charges dismissed

  • Cameron bury

  • great attorney

  • Hands Down Professional and delivers results!!!

  • DUI case dismissed

  • 125 stars out of 10!!

  • Excellent at getting best outcome

  • Excellent Attorney

  • TRO Dismissal

  • Efficient Excellent attorney.

  • Excellent attorney

  • Travis successfully defended me in an unprecedented Final Restraining Order Trial with ease

  • Kick Ass Attorney!

  • Efficient and professional attorney

  • Great Lawyer And Great Results

  • Top Notch DUI Attorney

  • Client Domestic Violence

  • Restraining Order

  • A real pro in a time of need - DWI Dismissed.

  • The most experienced, patient and affordable attorney

  • Travis Tormey successfully had a False TRO against me dismissed.

  • Underaged Drinking

  • Underaged Drinking

  • DUI Dismissed

  • Saved me from a DUI. HIGHLY recommended

  • Restraining Order

  • Case dismissed with Data Driven Facts

  • Respectful. Attentive. Professional.

  • Trespassing and Under the Influence Disorderly Persons charges

  • If you are reading this- You have reached the right place! Undoubtedly, the BEST Law Firm in New Jersey!

  • Amazing attorney with a heart of gold

  • Exceeded my expectations, Highly Professional Attorney

  • Responsive and knowledgeable.

  • The Tormey law firm was very kind and professional

  • Expungement

  • Travis Tormey is a True Professional Who Kept Me Out of Jail

  • Saved me a whole ton of problems

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • A nightmare case, with a happy ending.

  • Elite NJ Marijuana Attorney! 5 Stars!!

  • An Excellent lawyer!

  • Great lawyer for DUI

  • I highly endorse Travis Tormey.

  • Travis Tormey Law Firm

  • Travis is a Lifesaver

  • Travis J. Tormey - Evaluation

  • Great Lawyer. Got me off exactly what I wanted

  • Consummate Professional!

  • Great Criminal Defense Lawyer

  • Good Service

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Hired to defend me for aggravated assault

  • Hired to defend me in a restraning order

  • Excellent attorney, highly recommend his talents

  • DWI Counsel

  • I highly recommend Mr. Tormey

  • Great attorney

  • Travis Tormey, Esq. - Great Results!

  • Travis Tormey - Excellent Attorney-Kind and Trustworthy

  • Excellent Attorney-Trustworthy and Kind

  • An Outstanding lawyer!!! That will represent you in the correct way!

  • Excellent Attorney! You will not be dissapointed....

  • Travis Tormey Gets Results!

  • tormey

  • Success!!

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • Only Lawyer I Recommend

  • Very Grateful

  • Attorney review of Travis Tormey

  • Excellent

Experience You Can Trust

With unmatched knowledge and experience in the practice of law, the seasoned attorneys at The Tormey Law Firm are committed to serving their clients and tenaciously confronting the allegations against them.

We will examine every facet of your case in order to defend your constitutional rights and reputation. With a dedicated legal advocate to assist you, our attorneys will ensure that you are never forced to navigate the complex legal process on your own.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Learn More About How to Fight Your Charges

If you've been charged with a criminal offense, disorderly persons offense, or traffic / DWI violation, you have the right to an attorney who will defend you against your charges and fight for your best interests. To learn more about how your attorney can fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced, click a link below to see our video library of legal defenses and strategies.

The Tormey Law Firm

Areas we serve

Bergen County, Essex County, Morris County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Somerset County including Morristown, Denville, Dover, Mount Olive, Parsippany, Hackensack, East Rutherford, Elmwood Park, Englewood, Fort Lee, Garfield, Lodi, Lyndhurst, Mahwah, Palisades Park, Paramus, Ridgefield Park, Saddle Brook, Teaneck, Clifton, and Wayne.

  • Hackensack Office

    254 State Street Hackensack, NJ 07601

    (201) 556-1570

    view larger map

  • Morristown Office

    55 Madison Avenue Suite 400, Morristown, NJ 07960

    (908) 336-5008

    view larger map