Gov. Jon Corzine has signed legislation that clarifies how some transactions are handled under New Jersey’s one-handgun-per-month law. The changes were recommended by a state task force that reviewed the measure. It was designed to deter straw purchases and illegal handgun trafficking, but had unintended consequences for some residents and businesses. Under the measure Corzine signed Saturday, the transfers of handguns between licensed retail dealers, registered wholesale dealers and registered manufacturers are now exempted from the monthly limit.

Also exempted are the transfers of legally owned handguns from any person to a licensed retail dealer or a registered wholesale dealer or manufacturer. AP