ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2941

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 9, 1997

 

            The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2941.

      Assembly Bill No. 2941 provides that private detectives licensed under "The Private Detective Act of 1939" are presumed to have a "justifiable need" to carry a handgun while performing their duties and when traveling to and from work.           

      Currently, one of the requirements that must be satisfied in order to obtain a handgun permit is the establishment of a justifiable need to carry the handgun. Final approval for handgun permits is granted by the Superior Court located in the county of residence of the applicant. In certain cases, the courts have denied applications submitted by private detectives on the grounds that the detectives did not establish a justifiable need.