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P. 1SAF New Jersery Case Final ComplaintSAF New Jersery Case Final ComplaintRatings: (0)|Views: 12
|Likes: 0Published by mtempskiMore info:Published by: mtempski on Nov 22, 2010Copyright:Attribution Non-commercialAvailability:Read on Scribd mobile: iPhone, iPad and Android.download as PDF, TXT or read online from ScribdFlag for inappropriate content|Add to collectionSee moreSee lesshttps://www.scribd.com/doc/43639393/SAF-New-Jersery-Case-Final-Complaint11/22/2010pdftextoriginal DM1\2410040.1
JEFFREY M. MULLER; DANIEL J. PISZCZATOSKI;JOHN M. DRAKE; GREGORY C. GALLAHER;LENNY S. SALERNO; FINLEY FENTON;SECOND AMENDMENT FOUNDATION, INC.; andASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY RIFLE & PISTOLCLUBS, INC.,Plaintiffs,v.THE HON. PHILIP J. MAENZA,
in his Official Capacityas Judge of the Superior Court of Morris County
; THEHON. RUDOLPH A. FILKO,
in his Official Capacity as Judge of the Superior Court of Passaic County
; THE HON.EDWARD A. JEREJIAN,
in his Official Capacity as Judgeof the Superior Court of Bergen County
; THE HON.THOMAS A. MANAHAN,
in his Official Capacity as Judge of the Superior Court of Morris County
; COL. RICKFUENTES,
in his Official Capacity as Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police
; CHIEF FRANK INGEMI,
in hisOfficial Capacity as Chief of the Hammonton, New JerseyPolice Department ; CHIEF RICHARD COOK,
in hisOfficial Capacity as Chief of the Montville, New JerseyPolice Department ; and PAULA T. DOW,
in her OfficialCapacity as Attorney General of New Jersey
,Defendants.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Civil Action No.C
COME NOW Plaintiffs Jeffrey M. Muller, Daniel J. Piszczatoski, John M. Drake,Gregory C. Gallaher, Lenny S. Salerno, Finley Fenton, Second Amendment Foundation , Inc.,and Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc., by and through their undersignedattorneys Duane Morris LLP, and complain as follows:1.
This action for deprivation of civil rights concerns the State of New Jersey’sissuance of “Permit to Carry” handgun licenses pursuant to N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4 and N.J. Admin.Code §§ 13:54-2.3, 13:54-2.4, 13:54-2.5, and 13:54-2.7 (the “Handgun Permit Laws”). Plaintiffsseek declaratory and injunctive relief and attorney’s fees and costs.
DM1\2410040.1
It is a felony to possess a handgun without a Permit to Carry issued pursuant tothe Handgun Permit Laws. N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-5(b). A private citizen who does not hold a Permitto Carry may possess a handgun only within the confines of the “exemptions” that are set forth atN.J. Stat. § 2C:39-6(e)-(g). These exemptions do not permit a person to carry an operablehandgun, except within his or her home, real property, or place of business.
See id .3.
In order to obtain a Permit to Carry, a private citizen must:a.
Complete an approved training course, N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(c)-(d) and N.J.Admin. Code § 13:54-2.4(b)(1);b.
Demonstrate familiarity with use-of-force laws, N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.4(b)(3);c.
Submit qualification scores that show proficiency with the handgun that theperson intends to carry, N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.4(b)(2);d.
Provide fingerprints for a background check, N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(c);e.
Not be disqualified from gun ownership by reason of (for example) criminalhistory, age, or mental health condition, N.J. Stat. §§ 2C:58-3(c), 4(c)-(d); andf.
Show “a justifiable need to carry a handgun,” N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(c)-(d),which is defined more particularly as “urgent necessity for self-protection, asevidenced by specific threats or previous attacks which demonstrate a specialdanger to the applicant’s life that cannot be avoided by means other than byissuance of a permit to carry a handgun,” N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.4(d).4.
To obtain a Permit to Carry, a private citizen must apply to either their chief police officer or to the state police superintendent, depending upon the circumstances, asmandated by N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(c). This police official has the discretion determine whetherthe requirements, including “justifiable need,” have been met, and to approve or disapprove theapplication accordingly.
N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(c).5.
After the police official has approved or disapproved the application, a privatecitizen must then obtain the approval of an appropriate Superior Court judge.
See In re Preis
118 N.J. 564, 569, 573 A.2d 148, 151 (1990) (the Handgun Permit Laws “allow[ ] only aSuperior Court judge to issue a permit, after applicants first obtain approval from their local chief of police”). Regardless of whether the police official approves or disapproves of the application,only a Superior Court judge can actually issue a Permit to Carry.
N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(e).However, if the police official has disapproved the application, then it will proceed no furtherunless the applicant requests consideration from an appropriate Superior Court judge.
See id .6.
The Superior Court judge conducts his or her own review to determine whetherthe various statutory requirements, including “justifiable need,” have been met.
N.J. Stat. §2C:58-4(d). The Superior Court judge has discretion to deny a license application, or to limit orrestrict a license.
N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(d);
N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.7(b).7.
A Superior Court judge deciding an application for a Permit to Carry acts as an“issuing authority” performing “functions which [a]re clearly nonjudicial in nature.”
Siccardi v.State
, 59 N.J. 545, 553, 284 A.2d 533, 538 (1971);
see also In re Preis
, 118 N.J. 564, 569, 573A.2d 148, 151 (1990) (“the Legislature has reposed what is essentially an executive function inthe judicial branch”).8.
A person who has been denied a license by the Superior Court judge upon the judge’s consideration of a Permit to Carry application may appeal in accordance with the lawand rules governing appeals in the state courts of New Jersey. N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4(e).9.
The Handgun Permit Laws are facially invalid under the Second and FourteenthAmendments to the Constitution of the United States in that, and to the extent that, they: (a) veststate officials with uncontrolled discretion to deny Permits to Carry; and (b) require citizens toshow “justifiable need” and “urgent necessity” to obtain Permits to Carry.