Brady Hails New Jersey Governor’s “Code of Conduct” Executive Order

Washington, D.C., September 10, 2019 — Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an executive order designed to pressure gun industry businesses to adopt life-saving, responsible business practices. Brady applauds Governor Murphy’s leadership in implementing a supply-side approach to stopping the flow of crime guns into New Jersey and its communities.

The executive order captures the main themes of Brady’s Gun Dealer Code of Conduct, recognizing the important role that firearms dealers have in protecting the public from gun violence. This includes policies that help prevent straw purchases and trafficking, protect against the theft of firearms, facilitate cooperation with law enforcement, and promote proper screening and training of employees who handle the sale of firearms.

The order uses the State’s procurement powers to ensure that those in the gun industry doing business with New Jersey prioritize public safety and adopt policies that keep firearms out of the hands of individuals looking to harm themselves or others. It also leans on gun manufacturers to ensure that the individuals in their distribution chains are implementing these policies, and requests financial institutions that work with the firearm industry to disclose what steps they have taken to leverage their lending power to promote gun safety and the responsible sales of firearms.

Brady President Kris Brown stated,

“In the absence of strong federal oversight of the gun industry, states, communities, and private corporations must step up and fill the void. Brady applauds Governor Murphy for setting this example today. Common-sense, easily adoptable policies, with the private and public sectors working together lay a critical foundation to ending America’s gun violence epidemic. We urge other states and private companies to follow suit.”

Vice President of Programs Kyleanne Hunter stated,

“Gun industry actors are uniquely situated to take concrete and immediate actions that will stem the flow of crime guns. Most gun dealers are law-abiding businesses that do not want firearms to fall into dangerous hands. Complying with Governor Murphy’s executive order, and the principles contained in the Brady Gun Dealer Code of Conduct, is not a heavy lift for these responsible businesses. The New Jersey State marketplace, however, is now officially closed to the small minority of gun dealers who are responsible for the overwhelming majority of crime guns.”

New Jersey’s new executive order highlights how the state continues to innovate and implement new ideas to reduce the flow of crime guns into New Jersey and its communities. Earlier this year, Governor Murphy announced a partnership with Brady to combat crime guns and later convened city leaders from around the State to launch the initiative.