S.52

New Jersey S52 increases penalties for leaving a loaded firearm accessible to minors, resulting in injury or death.

New Jersey S52 amends existing law to increase criminal penalties for individuals who leave a loaded firearm within easy access of a minor, resulting in injury or death. Currently, such an offense is a disorderly person’s offense, but this bill upgrades it to a fourth-degree crime if it results in bodily injury and to a third-degree crime if it results in serious bodily injury or death. The bill also clarifies that the offense does not apply if a minor obtained the firearm for self-protection.