Governor Chris Christie on Monday announced the adoption of a revised regulation regarding applications for handgun carry permits, after his administration considered input during an official 60-day public comment period.

The revised regulation will allow a chief of police or the Superintendent of the Division of State Police, who review handgun carry permit applications, to consider evidence of “serious threats” that are not directed specifically at an individual, but which establish more than mere generalized fears or concerns.

This action taken by the Division of State Police amends paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of the permit application by adding “serious threats” to the circumstances that could demonstrate a special danger to an applicant’s life that a private citizen may specify in a written certification of justifiable need to carry a handgun. The changes also clarify that a permit to carry a handgun may be issued based on a special danger to the applicant’s life that cannot be avoided by other “reasonable” means.

The amendment harmonizes the regulatory definition of “justifiable need” with the construction of that standard by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The adoption does not change the process for obtaining a permit to carry a handgun.

Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) responded harshly, saying he will do everything in his power to stop it.

“Gov. Christie’s actions are an affront to the state constitution, our democratic process and public safety. The governor does not have the right to ignore legitimate legislative actions simply because he does not like them or lacks the power to stop them. This is not a dictatorship.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure the governor’s actions do not stand. I will research all remedies and consult with legislative colleagues as to our next step.

“We beat the governor in court when he tried to destroy civil service. We’ll do it again when it comes to his threat to public safety.”