Libraries that ban books could face sanctions from NJ

🔻 New legislation would stop book banning in NJ

🔻 Bans have been increasing in NJ, mostly books with LGBTQ themes

🔻Republicans say the legislation is an assault on parental rights

The New Jersey Legislature may soon be asked to consider what is essentially a ban on book bans in New Jersey.

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex) would require public schools and public libraries to adopt policies that strictly prohibit "banning or restricting access to certain books."

The bill (S3907) would also require all public and school libraries to adopt standards in the 'Library Bill of Rights' published by the American Library Association.

Any school or library that does not comply, would be subject to the withholding of state aid.

Zwicker says there has been an increase in efforts to restrict access to certain books, and "more than 80% of book banning efforts target LGBTQ+ themes or people of color."

"It is time to make NJ a state where book banning and the censorship of ideas is banned," Zwicker posted on twitter.

Some New Jersey Parents and parental advocacy groups have sought to restrict access or outright ban books and other publications that dal with gender, sexual orientation and sexual themes during this current school year.

Republicans in the legislature are already pushing back on Zwicker's legislation, suggesting it would infringe on parental rights.

Zwicker disagrees, telling NJ.com he strongly believes in parents' rights to raise their kids as they see fit, but "banning books is going too far."

Places in NJ where gun owners have sued to carry a legal gun

New Jersey passed its own law in December, trying to ban legal guns from “sensitive places.”

A federal judge found many of those spots to be legally protected on grounds of armed self-defense, noting in her opinion, “Crowded locations are not sensitive places."

As of June, a federal appeals court granted the state attorney general's request to keep part of the law that bars people from carrying handguns in “sensitive places” in effect.

The decision means handguns cannot be carried in places such as zoos, public parks, public libraries and museums, bars, and health care facilities.

The law bars handguns from being carried in those places as well as schools and child care facilities. The lower court's May injunction did not specify those locations, and the appeals court also didn't remove the prohibition in those places.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt & The Associated Press