In a jaw-dropping display of hypocrisy, New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill that would give themselves and their top staffers sweeping firearm privileges—privileges they continue to deny the average law-abiding citizen.

Assembly Bill A5958, introduced on July 24, 2025, by Assemblymen Robert Auth (R-39) and Gregory Myhre (R-9), with co-sponsorship from Assemblyman Sean Kean, seeks to exempt elected officials and their chiefs of staff from nearly all of the state’s draconian gun laws. Under the proposal, they would be allowed to carry handguns without a permit, possess rifles and shotguns without a Firearms Purchaser ID, and transport firearms throughout the state—all as long as they complete a state-approved training course.

This comes even as the rest of New Jersey residents continue to be bound by some of the most burdensome gun laws in the nation.

A Two-Tier System of Rights

As it stands, ordinary New Jerseyans must navigate a bureaucratic maze just to exercise basic Second Amendment rights—enduring long waits, multiple and endless background checks, permitting processes, and potential criminal penalties for violations.

Yet A5958 creates a privileged class of gun carriers: politicians and their chosen aides.

The bill plainly states that “a person who is an elected official… shall be exempt from the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-5,” which currently criminalizes most forms of firearm possession without government-issued credentials or carved out exceptions. This immunity would last the full duration of the politician’s term. Their appointed chief of staff would also gain the same immunity, but only while “in the actual performance of [their] official duties.”

“This is a giant slap in the face to every law-abiding gun owner in New Jersey,” said Grant Clarkson, Northeast Regional Director for Gun Owners of America, in an alert sent to members. “They’re giving themselves rights while actively working to restrict yours.”

If They’re Afraid, Why Shouldn’t You Be Armed Too?

Supporters of A5958 argue the exemption is necessary to protect public officials from threats. But critics ask the obvious question: if elected officials feel the need to be armed while walking the same streets as the rest of us, why shouldn’t the public have the same means of self-defense?

The bill does require elected officials and their staffers to complete a firearms training course and qualify annually with a handgun. However, average citizens must already meet similar requirements—plus face costly fees, long delays, and frequent rejections—just to apply for a carry permit.

“In New Jersey, you’re not allowed to carry for self-defense unless you can prove you’re in danger,” said one New Jersey gun rights activist. “Now politicians are writing themselves a pass without proving anything to anyone.”

Hypocrisy in Context

The timing of this proposed exemption couldn’t be more ironic. New Jersey Democrats have been aggressively pushing new gun control laws all year—including bans on so-called “ghost gun” files, new ammunition confiscation rules, and laws that criminalize the mere possession of suppressed firearms or short-barreled rifles, even when those items are legal under federal law.

In fact, just days before A5958 was introduced, two lawsuits were filed against the state’s outright bans on suppressors and compact rifles. One plaintiff in that case is Daniel Francisco, the pro-2A mayor of Englishtown, NJ, who argues that such firearms are ideal for self-defense and widely owned across the country.

Meanwhile, law-abiding residents are still banned from owning suppressors—a piece of safety equipment recognized by the CDC and hearing health professionals—and face up to 18 months in prison for possessing one.

Public Reaction and Legal Fallout

The reaction from gun rights advocates has been swift and severe. A5958 is being blasted as an example of “rules for thee but not for me,” a legislative maneuver that grants special rights to the political class while everyday citizens are left defenseless.

“This bill shows exactly how unserious New Jersey politicians are about the Constitution,” said commentators. “It’s not about public safety—it’s about control and privilege.”

And the courts may soon agree. With recent Supreme Court rulings demanding that gun laws align with America’s historical tradition of firearm regulation—as clarified in Bruen—New Jersey’s modern patchwork of bans, restrictions, and carve-outs is increasingly on shaky ground.

Should A5958 pass in its current form, it may serve as yet another trigger for constitutional challenges—this time on equal protection grounds.

The Bottom Line

Assembly Bill A5958 is a flashing neon sign that says the political elite in New Jersey trust themselves with guns, but not you. They know firearms are effective tools for personal defense. They just don’t want you to have one.

For New Jersey gun owners, the message is clear: stay alert, stay informed, and never stop fighting for your right to keep and bear arms—no matter who’s trying to exempt themselves from the law.

Follow AmmoLand News for updates on A5958 and other critical Second Amendment issues in the Garden State.

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