New Jersey has joined a four-state coalition with Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania to take on the issue of gun violence in the region.

Gov. Phil Murphy held a virtual event with Govs. Ned Lamont, Kathy Hochul and Tom Wolf to announce the initiative.

“The reality is that guns don’t understand the concept of state lines. But those who purchase them do,” Murphy said.

Facing an influx of guns trafficked from states with looser gun restrictions, the four Democrats have joined forces.

“We want to share information from our neighboring state if someone’s on the run. Where are the guns coming from? How are they getting on our streets?” said Hochul.

The New York governor says that the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a spike in gun violence.

“And I’m sure psychologists will study a long time from now what that’s exactly attributed to, but we do know the results are being seen in our streets and our communities,” she said.

The agreement means that law enforcement officers in all four states will now share information with each other on guns that were used in crimes.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done in New Jersey as it related to common-sense gun safety laws. We are among the vanguard nationally,” Murphy said.

Gov. Murphy is the only one among the four to be facing reelection this year. At a town hall meeting held Wednesday, Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli questioned Murphy’s stance on guns.

“People have a right to bear arms. People have a right to defend themselves. I think if it was up to Phil Murphy, he'd repeal the Second Amendment,” Ciattarelli said.

He said that if he is elected, he would consider concealed carry of legal handguns.

“We can start to have a conversation at least with regard to dangerous professions,” Ciattarelli said.

The multistate agreement will remain in effect for five years to track and trace illegal crime guns and illegal gun buyers.

“A little like the War on Drugs, you don't want to just go after that kid with the nickel bag or that kid with the pistol. We're going to take care of them, but we're going to go after the kingpins, we're going to go after those pushers,” said Lamont.

Murphy said that during the first six months of 2021, 85% of crime guns recovered by police came from outside of New Jersey.