By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Princeton Police have seen an increase in gun permit applications in recent months, in an apparent mirroring of a national trend amid concerns that the federal government would restrict gun rights.
Police Chief Nicholas K. Sutter on Monday told the Princeton Council that over the past year, the department had averaged about five applications per month. He said that number has about doubled, to 10 in November, eight in December and 11 in January so far, with many of them new gun owners.
“What that’s an indication of, I can’t really comment to,” he said.
For her part, Councilwoman Heather H. Howard said she and Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller had been inquiring about the trends. She recalled how talk of increased gun control after the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting led more people, nationally and locally in Princeton, to seek gun permits.
Ms. Howard cautioned against reading too much into an increase when dealing with small numbers. “But it would seem to be that we are mirroring the national trends that have been reported, that people are seeking permits, perhaps anticipating potential restrictions,” she said.
In the wake of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, last year, the Obama administration this month issued executive orders that expand the requirement for handgun sellers to be licensed and conduct background checks, among other things. Critics, like the National Rifle Association, have faulted the president for acting without congressional approval and for taking measures that would not have prevented the San Bernardino or other mass shootings in recent years.
In her comments, Ms. Crumiller asked the chief if the department has a database of gun owners. He said police maintain a local registry, while state and federal authorities also have registries. Police can use that information when having to respond to dangerous situations.
“We do have data bases that alert our officers to weapons that may be present when there is, specifically, a violent act,” he said.
Chief Sutter explained that there are two types of applications: one for a fire arms identification card that allows the holder to buy ammunition and long weapons; the second part of that process is an application for a permit to buy a hand gun. Police do background investigations of the applicants.
“So it just depends on what the applicant is interested in acquiring in what is issued,” he said.
In New Jersey, applicants must be fingerprinted when applying for either permit, according to the state police. The permit application they fill out asks for biographical, medical and mental health information, criminal history and the names of two references, among other information.
