(Camden, NJ) – Since the Supreme Court ruled in June that the U.S. Constitution provides a right to carry a gun outside of the home, the Board of Commissioners has been working on a resolution to better protect residents and visitors from senseless gun violence.
The resolution that passed today prohibits anyone from carrying any firearm concealed or otherwise, in any sensitive area within Camden County.
The following locations are designated sensitive areas:
- All buildings, or portions thereof, owned or under the control of county government for the purpose of government administration, whether open to the public or not.
- Any courthouse or building containing judicial functions of the state or county.
- Any place or building, or portion thereof, which is the location of any program or service operated or funded by the county.
- All recreational facilities and parks owned or operated by the county.
- Any vehicle owned or operated by or on behalf of the county while used for public transportation or in connection with a program or service funded by the county.
- Any polling place or location while operating for purposes of voting or conducting an election, including places used for the storage or tabulation of ballots.
- Any venue or grounds used for the performance of arts and entertainment, including festivals, concerts, exhibits, sporting events, and organized recreational activities, which is sponsored or operated by the county.
“Protecting those who live, work and visit Camden County is a top priority of ours,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “Gun violence in this country has gotten out of hand and the Supreme Court’s ruling has only enabled more people to lose their lives to these senseless and preventable crimes. We are taking a stand here in Camden County and we won’t allow these dangerous weapons to seep into places where they don’t belong.”
This restriction does not apply to law enforcement personnel pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6.
“Our communities deserve to feel safe, and they deserve not to have to worry about gun violence while going about their daily lives,” Cappelli continued.