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Bill

A 4978

Requires AG to report data regarding shootings that did not result in bodily injury.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 6 co-sponsors

New Jersey requires the Attorney General to collect and publicly report data on shootings that don't cause injuries, filling a gap in current gun violence statistics.

Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 4978

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4978 mandates that New Jersey's Attorney General collect and report data on shooting incidents that do not result in physical injury to people. This expands current reporting requirements, which typically focus on incidents with casualties or injuries. The bill aims to create a more comprehensive picture of gun violence and shooting frequency in the state.

Why is this important

Current crime statistics often miss non-injury shootings, creating incomplete data on shooting prevalence and patterns. Better data allows policymakers, law enforcement, and public health officials to identify trends, allocate resources more effectively, and develop evidence-based gun violence prevention strategies. This information gap has been identified by researchers and advocates as a significant limitation in understanding the full scope of shooting incidents.

Potential points of contention

  • Reporting burden: Expanded data collection requirements place administrative costs on law enforcement agencies that must compile and submit detailed reports on incidents without injuries
  • Definition clarity: Ambiguity around what constitutes a "shooting" (stray bullets, accidental discharge, property-only damage) could lead to inconsistent reporting across jurisdictions
  • Privacy concerns: Comprehensive data collection on incidents—even non-injury ones—may raise questions about privacy protections for individuals involved in reported incidents

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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