Assembly Panel OKs Gun Control Measures Amid Raucous Crowd

The New Jersey Assembly's Law and Public Safety Committee passed a package of 24 gun control bills today, amid an overflow crowd that "cheered, laughed and yelled," according to NorthJersey.com.   

The bills passed by the committee include legislation to bar persons on the federal terrorist watch list from obtaining firearms, legislation prohibiting body armor-piercing ammunition and mail ordering of ammunition, and creating "weapon free" school zones.  

According to the Associated Press, the full Assembly is also set to vote on bills requiring New Jersey to submit certain mental health records to the federal background check system, and removing gun ownership records from public disclosure rules.

But the hearing today was a spirited one, in which supporters and opponents of the legislation expressed their opinions. According to NorthJersey.com, one man appeared in a George Washington costume, and two were ejected from the hearing for yelling.

A breakdown on the voting on the bills is not available yet.