New Jersey is adding to their already tight gun control laws, specifically reducing the maximum magazine size from 15 rounds to 10 rounds. On Monday May 12 the New Jersey state senate approved A2006 by a 22-17 vote, mostly split on party lines.

At this point it goes back to the Assembly, which previously approved the bill 46-31. The Senate made technical changes to the wording, requiring re-approval of the Assembly.

At that point Governor Chris Christie’s will have 45 days to sign or veto the bill.

It is no secret that Governor Christie is looking to make a 2016 bid for the presidency. Christie hails from a state, much like Massachusetts, known for its strict gun control laws.

The question now is will Christie sign it to solidify support in his state, or veto it in order to increase his chances of capturing a republican nomination 2 years from now? A less cynical question might be, which will be better for the citizens of his state?

The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action states:
“…a limit on magazine capacity will necessarily have less impact upon perpetrators … than upon people targeted …. That is due to the simple fact … that a criminal can carry as many magazines as he wants, but an innocent person carrying a firearm for self-defense will often carry only the magazine inserted into the firearm. In such instances, the difference between 15 and 10 rounds might be the difference between life and death.”
NRA-ILA Article