In an effort to keep New Jersey's children safe from gun violence, Gov. James E. McGreevey last week signed into law today legislation that will require new handguns to be equipped with smart gun technology. Smart gun technology prevents anyone, except the recognized user of the gun, from firing the weapon.

"New Jersey is ahead of the rest of the nation in our effort to protect children from gun violence," said McGreevey. "I am proud to say that we are the first state to require that child-proof, personalized technology be used on all new handguns sold. It is a common sense law, it is a smart law."

The new law will require gun manufacturers to use smart gun technology on all new guns three years after the Attorney General determines that the user recognition technology is commercially available. Personalized handguns can include a sensor on the handle of the gun, fingerprint recognition, remote control, magnetic coding or radio transmitters.

Joining the governor at the bill signing were representatives from Million Mom March, Handgun Control Inc., CeaseFire NJ, Junior League and NJEA.

Assembly Bill 700 passed the Assembly on November 18th and was sponsored by Assemblymembers Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) and Matt Ahearn (D-Bergen). The Senate version of the bill, S573, passed the Senate on December 16th and was sponsored by Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) and Senators Peter Inverso (R-Mercer, Middlesex), John Girgenti (D-Passaic, Bergen) and Joseph Palaia (R-Monmouth).