New Jersey Democrats pass 22 gun-control bills, Republicans criticize decision

TRENTON - The New Jersey Assembly's majority Democrats, citing the elementary-school massacre in Newtown, Conn., passed 22 gun-control bills Thursday that backers said would help curb gun violence.

The measures, which have to clear the Senate, limit ammunition rounds, require mental health clearances and photo IDs for gun permits, and bar anyone on the federal terrorist watch list from obtaining a gun.

"We've got some of the best gun laws in the country, but we also know we have some things we can tighten up," Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D., Essex) said before the votes. "That's all the Assembly is seeking to do."

Republicans, in the minority in both houses of the legislature, called several of the bills haphazard and poorly written, and criticized the speed with which the legislation was moved through the chamber.

A measure to keep guns out of the hands of people on the antiterrorism no-fly list was approved by a vote of 63-3, but most others were roughly equivalent to the political split in the chamber, 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans.

Gov. Christie has not taken a position on the bills, though he promised to give the proposals "due consideration" if they reach his desk.

"I'm a little surprised at how quickly they've done it," Christie said Thursday after an event in Sea Bright, where he picked up the Democratic mayor's endorsement.