A recent study ranks New Jersey as the third-strictest state in terms of gun control laws.

The wide-ranging study compared all 50 states and gave each state a rating based on its gun control laws. The study was commissioned by the Brady Campaign, an organization dedicated to the prevention of gun violence. New Jersey received an “A” grade, finishing in third place overall behind California and Connecticut.

The Brady Campaign also tabulated the number of gun-related deaths in each state, with NJ ranking fifth in terms of the fewest number of gun-related fatalities.

New Jersey actually declined in the rankings since the 2011 report was released. Since 2011, Connecticut jumped New Jersey in the rankings by imposing stricter laws after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newton, CT.

One of New Jersey’s strictest gun control laws deals with illegal possession of a handgun. The crime is governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), which classifies the offense in most cases as a second degree felony. A conviction for second degree weapons possession can result in a sentence of up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

NJ prosecutors treat gun-related offenses very seriously, often seeking maximum punishments in gun possession cases.

To learn more about the results of the study, read the NJ.com article entitled “New Jersey’s Gun Laws Ranked Third Strictest in the Nation.”