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Christie Vetoes 2 Gun Control Bills

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Gov. Chris Christie vetoed two gun control bills on Wednesday.

One bill Christie struck down would have repealed a state law mandating the sale of firearms with so-called "smart gun" technology. The other bill vetoed now enables New Jersey to join 42 other states with a "shall issue" standard for the issuance of a handgun carry permit.

"The right to own a gun is a fundamental one enumerated in the Constitution," Christie said in a statement. "I continue to oppose the relentless campaign by the Democratic legislature to make New Jersey as inhospitable as possible to lawful gun ownership and sales."

Christie continued, "Instead of remaining an outlier with overly burdensome restrictions of questionable constitutionality, New Jersey should follow the lead of the vast majority of states across the country and simplify, not complicate, the ability of responsible citizens, dealers and retailers, to buy, sell and possess firearms as protected by the Second Amendment."

Christie also recommended eliminating the "justifiable need" requirement.

As WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported, New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), a co-sponsor of the smart gun bill, said Christie is trying to appeal to pro-gun groups and cater to his national political aspirations.

She dismissed those aspirations as "definitely hooked to the unrealistic star of Donald Trump."

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