N.J. Stat. tit. 2C, ch. 39

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-1 Definitions.

2C:39-1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter and to chapter 58: a. "Antique firearm" means any rifle or shotgun and "antique cannon" means a destructive device defined in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section if the rifle, shotgun, or destructive device, or replica thereof, as the case may be, is incapable of being fired or discharged or which does not fire fixed ammunition, regardless of date of manufacture, or was manufactured before 1898 for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available, and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for its historical significance or value. b. "Deface" means to remove, deface, cover, alter, or destroy the name of the maker, model designation, manufacturer's serial number, or any other distinguishing identification mark or number on any firearm. c. "Destructive device" means any device, instrument, or object designed to explode or produce uncontrolled combustion, including: (1) any explosive or incendiary bomb, mine, or grenade; (2) any rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces or any missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter of an ounce; (3) any weapon capable of firing a projectile of a caliber greater than 60 caliber, except a shotgun or shotgun ammunition generally recognized as suitable for sporting purposes; (4) any Molotov cocktail or other device consisting of a breakable container containing flammable liquid and having a wick or similar device capable of being ignited. The term shall not include any device manufactured for the purpose of illumination, distress signaling, line-throwing, safety, or similar purposes; or (5) any center-fire rifle that is capable of firing a .50 BMG cartridge as defined in subsection mm. of this section. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any antique firearm as defined in subsection a. of this section or any "curio or relic" as defined in 27 CFR 478.11. The provisions of this paragraph also shall not apply to a weapon solely used to fire blank ammunition for the purpose of a living historical reenactment as defined in subsection nn. of this section. d. "Dispose of" means to give, give away, lease, loan, keep for sale, offer, offer for sale, sell, transfer, or otherwise transfer possession. e. "Explosive" means any chemical compound or mixture that is commonly used or is possessed for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustible materials or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities, or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, or by detonation of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects. The term shall not include small arms ammunition or explosives in the form prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia. f. "Firearm" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, automatic or semi-automatic rifle, or any gun, device, or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectable ball, slug, pellet, missile, or bullet or any gas, vapor, or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun, or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air, or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter with sufficient force to injure a person. g. "Firearm silencer" means any instrument, attachment, weapon, or appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol, or other firearm to be silent or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol, or other firearm. h. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force. i. "Machine gun" means any firearm, mechanism, or instrument not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot and having a reservoir, belt, or other means of storing and carrying ammunition which can be loaded into the firearm, mechanism, or instrument and fired therefrom. The term also shall include the frame or receiver of any such firearm, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. A machine gun also shall include, without limitation, any firearm with a trigger crank attached. j. "Manufacturer" means any person who receives or obtains raw materials or parts and processes them into firearms or finished parts of firearms, except a person who exclusively processes grips, stocks, and other nonmetal parts of firearms. The term does not include a person who repairs existing firearms or receives new and used raw materials or parts solely for the repair of existing firearms. k. "Handgun" means any pistol, revolver, or other firearm originally designed or manufactured to be fired by the use of a single hand. l. "Retail dealer" means any person, including a gunsmith, except a manufacturer or a wholesale dealer, who sells, transfers, or assigns for a fee or profit any firearm or parts of firearms or ammunition which he has purchased or obtained with the intention, or for the purpose, of reselling or reassigning to persons who are reasonably understood to be the ultimate consumers and includes any person who is engaged in the business of repairing firearms or who sells any firearm to satisfy a debt secured by the pledge of a firearm. m. "Rifle" means any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and using the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger. n. "Shotgun" means any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and using the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shots or a single projectile for each pull of the trigger or any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder which does not fire fixed ammunition. o. "Sawed-off shotgun" means any shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or any firearm made from a rifle or a shotgun, whether by alteration or otherwise, if such firearm as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. p. "Switchblade knife" means any knife or similar device which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. q. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of the State Police. r. "Weapon" means anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury. The term includes, but is not limited to, all (1) firearms, even though not loaded or lacking a clip or other component to render them immediately operable; (2) components which can be readily assembled into a weapon; (3) gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, or other dangerous knives, billies, blackjacks, bludgeons, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti, or similar leather bands studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood; and (4) stun guns; and (5) any weapon or other device which projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air. s. "Wholesale dealer" means any person, except a manufacturer, who sells, transfers, or assigns firearms, or parts of firearms, to persons who are reasonably understood not to be the ultimate consumers and includes persons who receive finished parts of firearms and assemble them into completed or partially completed firearms in furtherance of such purpose, except that it shall not include those persons dealing exclusively in grips, stocks, and other nonmetal parts of firearms. t. "Stun gun" means any weapon or other device which emits an electrical charge or current intended to temporarily or permanently disable a person. u. "Ballistic knife" means any weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can propel a knife blade. v. "Imitation firearm" means an object or device reasonably capable of being mistaken for a firearm. w. "Assault firearm" means: (1) The following firearms: Algimec AGM1 type Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder such as the "Street Sweeper" or "Striker 12" Armalite AR-180 type Australian Automatic Arms SAR Avtomat Kalashnikov type semi-automatic firearms Beretta AR-70 and BM59 semi-automatic firearms Bushmaster Assault Rifle Calico M-900 Assault carbine and M-900 CETME G3 Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88 type Colt AR-15 and CAR-15 series Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1 and Max 2, AR 100 types Demro TAC-1 carbine type Encom MP-9 and MP-45 carbine types FAMAS MAS223 types FN-FAL, FN-LAR, or FN-FNC type semi-automatic firearms Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12 shotguns G3SA type Galil type Heckler and Koch HK91, HK93, HK94, MP5, PSG-1 Intratec TEC 9 and 22 semi-automatic firearms M1 carbine type M14S type MAC 10, MAC 11, MAC 11-9mm carbine type firearms PJK M-68 carbine type Plainfield Machine Company Carbine Ruger K-Mini-14/5F and Mini-14/5RF SIG AMT, SIG 550SP, SIG 551SP, SIG PE-57 types SKS with detachable magazine type Spectre Auto carbine type Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48 type Sterling MK-6, MK-7 and SAR types Steyr A.U.G. semi-automatic firearms USAS 12 semi-automatic type shotgun Uzi type semi-automatic firearms Valmet M62, M71S, M76, or M78 type semi-automatic firearms Weaver Arm Nighthawk. (2) Any firearm manufactured under any designation which is substantially identical to any of the firearms listed above. (3) A semi-automatic shotgun with either a magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, a pistol grip, or a folding stock. (4) A semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds. "Assault firearm" shall not include a semi-automatic rifle which has an attached tubular device and which is capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. (5) A part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault firearm or any combination of parts from which an assault firearm may be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person. (6) A firearm with a bump stock attached. x. "Semi-automatic" means a firearm which fires a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger and is self-reloading or automatically chambers a round, cartridge, or bullet. y. "Large capacity ammunition magazine" means a box, drum, tube, or other container which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm. The term shall not include an attached tubular device which is capable of holding only .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. z. "Pistol grip" means a well-defined handle, similar to that found on a handgun, that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon and which permits the shotgun to be held and fired with one hand. aa. "Antique handgun" means a handgun manufactured before 1898, or a replica thereof, which is recognized as being historical in nature or of historical significance and either (1) utilizes a match, friction, flint, or percussion ignition, or which utilizes a pin-fire cartridge in which the pin is part of the cartridge; or (2) does not fire fixed ammunition or for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available. bb. "Trigger lock" means a commercially available device approved by the Superintendent of State Police which is operated with a key or combination lock that prevents a firearm from being discharged while the device is attached to the firearm. It may include, but need not be limited to, devices that obstruct the barrel or cylinder of the firearm, as well as devices that immobilize the trigger. cc. "Trigger locking device" means a device that, if installed on a firearm and secured by means of a key or mechanically, electronically, or electromechanically operated combination lock, prevents the firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or removing the device by means of a key or mechanically, electronically, or electromechanically operated combination lock. dd. "Personalized handgun" means a handgun which incorporates within its design a permanent programmable feature as part of its manufacture that cannot be deactivated and renders the personalized handgun reasonably resistant to being fired except when activated by the lawful owner or other authorized user. No make or model of a handgun shall be deemed to be a "personalized handgun" unless the Personalized Handgun Authorization Commission established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2019, c.164 (C.2C:58-2.7) has determined, in accordance with section 2 of P.L.2019, c.164 (C.2C:58-2.8), that the personalized handgun meets the performance standards and qualifying criteria established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2019, c.164 (C.2C:58-2.8). ee. "Bump stock" means any device or instrument for a firearm that increases the rate of fire achievable with the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger. ff. "Trigger crank" means any device or instrument to be attached to a firearm that repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a lever or other part that is turned in a circular motion, provided, however, the term shall not include any weapon initially designed and manufactured to fire through the use of a crank or lever. gg. "Armor piercing ammunition" means: (1) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and is constructed entirely, excluding the presence of traces of other substances, from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium; or (2) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile. "Armor piercing ammunition" shall not include shotgun shot required by federal or State environmental or game regulations for hunting purposes, a frangible projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile which the United States Attorney General finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the United States Attorney General finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge used in an oil gas well perforating device. hh. "Covert firearm" means any firearm that is constructed in a shape or configuration such that it does not resemble a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or machine gun including, but not limited to, a firearm that resembles a keychain, pen, cigarette lighter, cigarette package, cellphone, smart phone, wallet, or cane. ii. "Undetectable firearm" means a firearm that: (1) after removal of all parts other than major components, is not as detectable as the Security Exemplar by walk-through metal detectors calibrated and operated to detect the Security Exemplar; or (2) includes a major component which, if the firearm were subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices commonly used at airports for security screening, would not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. "Undetectable firearm" shall not be construed to include a firearm subject to the provisions of paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (p) of 18 U.S.C. s.922. jj. "Major component" means the slide or cylinder or the frame or receiver of a firearm and, in the case of a rifle or shotgun, also includes the barrel. kk. "Security Exemplar" means the Security Exemplar fabricated in accordance with subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subsection (p) of 18 U.S.C. s.922. ll. "Authorized user" means the lawful owner of a personalized handgun or a person to whom the owner has given consent to use the personalized handgun. mm. ".50 BMG cartridge" means a cartridge that is designed and intended to be fired from a center-fire rifle and that meets all of the following criteria: (1) it has an overall length of 5.54 inches from the base to the tip of the bullet; (2) the bullet diameter for the cartridge is from .510 inches to and including .511 inch; (3) the case base diameter for the cartridge is from .800 inches to and including .804 inch; and (4) the cartridge case length is 3.91 inches. nn. "Living historical reenactment" means a depiction of historical characters, scenes, historical life, or events for entertainment, education, or historical documentation through the wearing or use of period, historical, antique, or vintage clothing, accessories, firearms, weapons, and other implements of the historical period. oo. “Firearm digital instructions” means digital instructions in the form of computer-aided design files or other code or instructions stored and displayed in electronic format as a digital model that may be used to program a three-dimensional printer to manufacture or produce a firearm, firearm receiver, magazine, or firearm component. amended 1981, c.363, s.1; 1983, c.479, s.1; 1985, c.360, s.1; 1987, c.228, s.1; 1989, c.120, s.1; 1990, c.32, s.1; 1999, c.233, s.1; 1999, c.255, s.1; 2002, c.130, s.5; 2017, c.323, s.1; 2018, c.38, s.1; 2018, c.39, s.1; 2018, c.138, s.1; 2019, c.164, s.6; 2022, c.54, s.1; 2025, c.255, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-2 Presumptions

a. Possession of firearms, weapons, destructive devices, silencers, or explosives in a vehicle. When a firearm, weapon, destructive device, silencer, or explosive described in this chapter is found in a vehicle, it is presumed to be in the possession of the occupant if there is but one. If there is more than one occupant in the vehicle, it shall be presumed to be in the possession of all, except under the following circumstances: (1) When it is found upon the person of one of the occupants, it shall be presumed to be in the possession of that occupant alone; (2) When the vehicle is not a stolen one and the weapon or other instrument is found out of view in a glove compartment, trunk or other enclosed customary depository, it shall be presumed to be in the possession of the occupant or occupants who own or have authority to operate the vehicle; and (3) When the vehicle is a taxicab and a weapon or other instrument is found in the passenger's portion of the vehicle, it shall be presumed to be in the possession of all the passengers, if there are any, and if not, in the possession of the driver. b. Licenses and permits. When the legality of a person's conduct under this chapter depends on his possession of a license or permit or on his having registered with or given notice to a particular person or agency, it shall be presumed that he does not possess such a license or permit or has not registered or given the required notice, until he establishes the contrary. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:39-2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1979, c. 179, s. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-3 Prohibited weapons and devices.

2C:39-3. Prohibited Weapons and Devices. a. Destructive devices. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any destructive device is guilty of a crime of the third degree. b. Sawed-off shotguns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any sawed-off shotgun is guilty of a crime of the third degree. c. Silencers. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any firearm silencer is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. d. Defaced firearms. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any firearm which has been defaced, except an antique firearm or an antique handgun, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. e. Certain weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, metal knuckle, sandclub, slingshot, cestus or similar leather band studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, or ballistic knife, without any explainable lawful purpose, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. f. Dum-dum or armor piercing ammunition. (1) Any person, other than a law enforcement officer or persons engaged in activities pursuant to subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-6, who knowingly has in his possession any hollow nose or dum-dum bullet, or (2) any person, other than a collector of firearms or ammunition as curios or relics as defined in Title 18, United States Code, section 921 (a) (13) and has in his possession a valid Collector of Curios and Relics License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, who knowingly has in his possession any armor piercing ammunition, as defined in subsection gg. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. For purposes of this section, a collector may possess not more than three examples of each distinctive variation of the ammunition described above. A distinctive variation includes a different head stamp, composition, design, or color. g. Exceptions. (1) (a) Nothing in subsection a., b., c., d., e., f., j. or k. of this section shall apply to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, or except as otherwise provided, to any law enforcement officer while actually on duty or traveling to or from an authorized place of duty, provided that his possession of the prohibited weapon or device has been duly authorized under the applicable laws, regulations or military or law enforcement orders. (b) Nothing in subsection j. of this section shall apply to a law enforcement officer who possesses and carries while off duty a large capacity ammunition magazine capable of holding not more than 17 rounds of ammunition that can be fed continuously and directly into a semi-automatic firearm. (c) Notwithstanding subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, subsection j. of this section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer who possesses and carries while off duty a large capacity ammunition magazine capable of holding more than 17 rounds of ammunition that can be fed continuously and directly into a semi-automatic firearm provided the large capacity ammunition magazine is used with a service firearm issued to the officer by the officer’s employer for use in the officer’s official duties. (d) Nothing in subsection h. of this section shall apply to any law enforcement officer who is exempted from the provisions of that subsection by the Attorney General. Nothing in this section shall apply to the possession of any weapon or device by a law enforcement officer who has confiscated, seized, or otherwise taken possession of said weapon or device as evidence of the commission of a crime or because he believed it to be possessed illegally by the person from whom it was taken, provided that said law enforcement officer promptly notifies his superiors of his possession of such prohibited weapon or device. (2) (a) Nothing in paragraph (1) of subsection f. of this section shall be construed to prevent a person from keeping such ammunition at his dwelling, premises, or other land owned or possessed by him, or from carrying such ammunition from the place of purchase to said dwelling or land, nor shall paragraph (1) of subsection f. of this section be construed to prevent any licensed retail or wholesale firearms dealer from possessing such ammunition at its licensed premises, provided that the seller of any such ammunition shall maintain a record of the name, age and place of residence of any purchaser who is not a licensed dealer, together with the date of sale and quantity of ammunition sold. (b) Nothing in paragraph (1) of subsection f. of this section shall be construed to prevent a designated employee or designated licensed agent for a nuclear power plant under the license of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from possessing hollow nose ammunition while in the actual performance of his official duties if the federal licensee certifies that the designated employee or designated licensed agent is assigned to perform site protection, guard, armed response, or armed escort duties and is appropriately trained and qualified, as prescribed by federal regulation, to perform those duties. (3) Nothing in paragraph (2) of subsection f. or in subsection j. of this section shall be construed to prevent any licensed retail or wholesale firearms dealer from possessing that ammunition or large capacity ammunition magazine at its licensed premises for sale or disposition to another licensed dealer, the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, or to a law enforcement agency, provided that the seller maintains a record of any sale or disposition to a law enforcement agency. The record shall include the name of the purchasing agency, together with written authorization of the chief of police or highest ranking official of the agency, the name and rank of the purchasing law enforcement officer, if applicable, and the date, time and amount of ammunition sold or otherwise disposed. A copy of this record shall be forwarded by the seller to the Superintendent of the Division of State Police within 48 hours of the sale or disposition. (4) Nothing in subsection a. of this section shall be construed to apply to antique cannons as exempted in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-6. (5) Nothing in subsection c. of this section shall be construed to apply to any person who is specifically identified in a special deer management permit issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to utilize a firearm silencer as part of an alternative deer control method implemented in accordance with a special deer management permit issued pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2000, c.46 (C.23:4-42.6), while the person is in the actual performance of the permitted alternative deer control method and while going to and from the place where the permitted alternative deer control method is being utilized. This exception shall not, however, otherwise apply to any person to authorize the purchase or possession of a firearm silencer. h. Stun guns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any stun gun is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. i. Nothing in subsection e. of this section shall be construed to prevent any guard in the employ of a private security company, who is licensed to carry a firearm, from the possession of a nightstick when in the actual performance of his official duties, provided that he has satisfactorily completed a training course approved by the Police Training Commission in the use of a nightstick. j. Any person who knowingly has in his possession a large capacity ammunition magazine is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree unless the person has registered: (1) an assault firearm pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-12) and the magazine is maintained and used in connection with participation in competitive shooting matches sanctioned by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship of the United States Department of the Army; or (2) a firearm with a fixed magazine capacity or detachable magazine capable of holding up to 15 rounds pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-20). k. Handcuffs. Any person who knowingly has in his possession handcuffs as defined in P.L.1991, c.437 (C.2C:39-9.2), under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as handcuffs may have, is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A law enforcement officer shall confiscate handcuffs possessed in violation of the law. l. Bump stock or trigger crank. Any person who knowingly possesses a bump stock as defined in subsection ee. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or a trigger crank as defined in subsection ff. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, regardless of whether the person is in possession of a firearm, is guilty of a crime of the third degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other provision of law, a conviction arising out of this subsection shall not merge with a conviction for possessing an assault firearm in violation of subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 or a machine gun in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 and a separate sentence shall be imposed upon each conviction. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:44-5 or any other provisions of law, the sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be served consecutively to that imposed for unlawfully possessing an assault firearm in violation of subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-5. m. Covert or undetectable firearms. Any person who knowingly possesses any covert firearm as defined in subsection hh. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, an undetectable firearm as defined in subsection ii. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, or a firearm enclosed in a container or covering that is designed or modified to allow the firearm to be fired while so enclosed and that disguises or obscures the shape of the firearm such that it does not resemble a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or machine gun is guilty of a crime of the third degree. n. Firearms without a serial number. Any person who knowingly possesses a firearm manufactured or otherwise assembled using a firearm frame or firearm receiver as defined in subsection k. of N.J.S.2C:39-9 which is not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer including, but not limited to, a firearm manufactured or otherwise assembled from parts purchased or otherwise obtained in violation of subsection k. of N.J.S.2C:39-9, is guilty of a crime of the third degree. o. Firearm digital instructions. A person who is not licensed or registered to manufacture firearms and knowingly possesses firearm digital instructions as defined in subsection oo. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 with the intent to manufacture a firearm is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. amended 1979, c.179, s.2; 1983, c.58, s.1; 1983, c.479, s.2; 1985, c.360, s.2; 1987, c.228, s.2; 1989, c.11; 1990, c.32, s.10; 1991, c.437, s.1; 1999, c.233, s.2; 2000, c.46, s.5; 2003, c.168, s.1; 2017, c.323, s.2; 2018, c.38, s.2; 2018, c.39, s.2; 2018, c.138, s.2; 2018, c.161; 2019, c.165, s.2; 2025, c.255, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4 Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes.

2C:39-4. Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes. a. Firearms. (1) Any person who has in his possession any firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. (2) Any person who possesses, receives or transfers a community gun is guilty of a crime of the second degree and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or three years, whichever is greater and during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. As used in this paragraph, "community gun" means a firearm that is transferred among, between or within any association of two or more persons who, while possessing that firearm, engage in criminal activity or use it unlawfully against the person or property of another. b. Explosives. Any person who has in his possession or carries any explosive substance with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. c. Destructive devices. Any person who has in his possession any destructive device with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the third degree. e. Imitation firearms. Any person who has in his possession an imitation firearm under circumstances that would lead an observer to reasonably believe that it is possessed for an unlawful purpose is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Amended 1979, c.179, s.3; 1989, c.120, s.2; 2007, c.24.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4.1 Weapons; controlled dangerous substances and other offenses, penalties.

2C:39-4.1. Weapons; controlled dangerous substances and other offenses, penalties. 1. a. Any person who has in his possession any firearm while in the course of committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit a violation of N.J.S.2C:35-3, N.J.S. 2C:35-4, N.J.S.2C:35-5, section 3 or section 5 of P.L.1997, c.194 (C.2C:35-5.2 or 2C:35-5.3), N.J.S.2C:35-6, section 1 of P.L.1987, c.101 (C.2C:35-7), section 1 of P.L.1997, c.327 (C.2C:35-7.1), N.J.S.2C:35-11 or N.J.S.2C:16-1 is guilty of a crime of the second degree. b. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use such weapon unlawfully against the person or property of another, while in the course of committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit a violation of N.J.S.2C:35-3, N.J.S.2C:35-4, N.J.S.2C:35-5, section 3 or 5 of P.L.1997, c.194 (C.2C:35-5.2 or 2C:35-5.3), N.J.S.2C:35-6, section 1 of P.L.1987, c.101 (C.2C:35-7), section 1 of P.L.1997,c.327 (C.2C:35-7.1), N.J.S.2C:35-11 or N.J.S.2C:16-1 is guilty of a crime of the second degree. c. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as the weapon may have, while in the course of committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit a violation of N.J.S.2C:35-3, N.J.S.2C:35-4, N.J.S.2C:35-5, section 3 or section 5 of P.L. 1997, c.194 (C.2C:35-5.2 or 2C:35-5.3), N.J.S.2C:35-6, section 1 of P.L.1987, c.101 (C.2C:35-7), section 1 of P.L.1997,c.327(C.2C:35-7.1), N.J.S.2C:35-11 or N.J.S.2C:16-1 is guilty of a crime of the second degree. d. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other provision of law, a conviction arising under this section shall not merge with a conviction for a violation of any of the sections of chapter 35 or chapter 16 referred to in this section nor shall any conviction under those sections merge with a conviction under this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:44-5 or any other provision of law, the sentence imposed upon a violation of this section shall be ordered to be served consecutively to that imposed for any conviction for a violation of any of the sections of chapter 35 or chapter 16 referred to in this section or a conviction for conspiracy or attempt to violate any of those sections. e. Nothing herein shall be deemed to preclude, if the evidence so warrants, an indictment and conviction for a violation of N.J.S.2C:39-4 or N.J.S.2C:39-5 or any other provision of law. f. Nothing herein shall prevent the court from also imposing enhanced punishments, pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-8, section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2), or any other provision of law, or an extended term. L.1998,c.26,s.1; amended 2001, c.443, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-5 Unlawful possession of weapons.

2C:39-5. Unlawful possession of weapons. a. Machine guns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession a machine gun, without being licensed to do so as provided in N.J.S.2C:58-5, is guilty of a crime of the second degree, except as provided in subsection 1. of N.J.S.2C:39-3. b. Handguns. (1) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any handgun, including any antique handgun, without first having obtained a permit to carry the same as provided in N.J.S.2C:58-4, is guilty of a crime of the second degree. (2) If the handgun is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol, or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air, or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter with sufficient force to injure a person, it is a crime of the third degree. c. Rifles and shotguns. (1) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any rifle or shotgun without having first obtained a firearms purchaser identification card in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:58-3, is guilty of a crime of the third degree. (2) Unless otherwise permitted by law, any person who knowingly has in his possession any loaded rifle or shotgun is guilty of a crime of the third degree. d. Other weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. e. Firearms or other weapons in educational institutions. (1) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any firearm in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any school, college, university, or other educational institution, without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, is guilty of a crime of the third degree, irrespective of whether he possesses a valid permit to carry the firearm or a valid firearms purchaser identification card. (2) Any person who knowingly possesses any weapon enumerated in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any components which can readily be assembled into a firearm or other weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful use as it may have while in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any school, college, university, or other educational institution, without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. (3) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any imitation firearm in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any school, college, university, or other educational institution, without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, or while on any school bus, is a disorderly person, irrespective of whether he possesses a valid permit to carry a firearm or a valid firearms purchaser identification card. f. Assault firearms. Any person who knowingly has in his possession an assault firearm is guilty of a crime of the second degree, except if the assault firearm is licensed pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-5; registered pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-12); or rendered inoperable pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-13). g. (1) The temporary possession of a handgun, rifle, or shotgun by a person receiving, possessing, carrying, or using the handgun, rifle, or shotgun under the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1992, c.74 (C.2C:58-3.1) shall not be considered unlawful possession under the provisions of subsection b. or c. of this section. (2) The temporary possession of a firearm by a person receiving, possessing, carrying, or using the firearm under the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1997, c.375 (C.2C:58-3.2) shall not be considered unlawful possession under the provisions of this section. h. A person who is convicted of a crime under subsection a., b., f., or j. of this section shall be ineligible for participation in any program of intensive supervision; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to a crime under subsection b. involving only a handgun which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol, or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air, or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter with sufficient force to injure a person. i. A person convicted of violating subsection a., b., or f. of this section shall be sentenced by the court to a term of imprisonment, which shall include the imposition of a minimum term during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole, if the court finds that the aggravating circumstance set forth in paragraph (5) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:44-1 applies. The minimum term of parole ineligibility shall be fixed at five years. The sentencing court shall make a finding on the record as to whether the aggravating circumstance set forth in paragraph (5) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:44-1 applies, and the court shall presume that there is a substantial likelihood that the defendant is involved in organized criminal activity if there is a substantial likelihood that the defendant is a member of an organization or group that engages in criminal activity. The prosecution at the sentencing hearing shall have the initial burden of producing evidence or information concerning the defendant's membership in such an organization or group. j. A violation of subsection a., b., c., or f. of this section by a person who has a prior conviction of any of the crimes enumerated in subsection d. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2) is a first-degree crime. amended 1979, c.179, s.4; 1990, c.32, s.2; 1992, c.74, s.2; 1992, c.94, s.1; 1995, c.389; 1997, c.375, s.2; 2007, c.284; 2009, c.13; 2013, c.113, s.1; 2025, c.363, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-6 Exemptions.

2C:39-6. a. Provided a person complies with the requirements of subsection j. of this section, N.J.S.2C:39-5 does not apply to: (1) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the National Guard while actually on duty, or while traveling between places of duty and carrying authorized weapons in the manner prescribed by the appropriate military authorities; (2) Federal law enforcement officers, and any other federal officers and employees required to carry firearms in the performance of their official duties; (3) Members of the State Police and, under conditions prescribed by the superintendent, members of the Marine Law Enforcement Bureau of the Division of State Police; (4) A sheriff, undersheriff, sheriff's officer, prosecutor's detective or investigator, State investigator employed by the Division of Criminal Justice of the Department of Law and Public Safety, investigator employed by the State Commission of Investigation, inspector of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Bureau of the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety authorized to carry weapons by the Superintendent of State Police, State park police officer, or State conservation police officer; (5) Except as hereinafter provided, a State correctional police officer, or a prison or jail warden of any penal institution in this State or the warden's deputies, or an employee of the Department of Corrections engaged in the interstate transportation of convicted offenders, while in the performance of the employee's duties, and when required to possess the weapon by a superior officer, or a correctional police officer or keeper of a penal institution in this State at all times while in the State of New Jersey, provided the person annually passes an examination approved by the superintendent testing the person's proficiency in the handling of firearms; (6) A civilian employee of the United States Government under the supervision of the commanding officer of any post, camp, station, base or other military or naval installation located in this State who is required, in the performance of the employee's official duties, to carry firearms, and who is authorized to carry firearms by the commanding officer, while in the actual performance of the employee's official duties; (7) (a) A regularly employed member, including a detective, of the police department of any county or municipality, or of any State, interstate, municipal or county park police force or boulevard police force, at all times while in the State of New Jersey; (b) A special law enforcement officer authorized to carry a weapon as provided in subsection b. of section 7 of P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.14); (c) An airport security officer or a special law enforcement officer appointed by the governing body of any county or municipality, except as provided in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, or by the commission, board or other body having control of a county park or airport or boulevard police force, while engaged in the actual performance of the officer's official duties and when specifically authorized by the governing body to carry weapons; (8) A full-time, paid member of a paid or part-paid fire department or force of any municipality who is assigned full-time or part-time to an arson investigation unit created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1981, c.409 (C.40A:14-7.1) or to the county arson investigation unit in the county prosecutor's office, while either engaged in the actual performance of arson investigation duties or while actually on call to perform arson investigation duties and when specifically authorized by the governing body or the county prosecutor, as the case may be, to carry weapons. Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a member shall take and successfully complete a firearms training course administered by the Police Training Commission pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm; (9) A juvenile correctional police officer in the employment of the Youth Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170) subject to the regulations promulgated by the commission; (10) A designated employee or designated licensed agent for a nuclear power plant under license of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, while in the actual performance of the person's official duties, if the federal licensee certifies that the designated employee or designated licensed agent is assigned to perform site protection, guard, armed response or armed escort duties and is appropriately trained and qualified, as prescribed by federal regulation, to perform those duties. Any firearm utilized by an employee or agent for a nuclear power plant pursuant to this paragraph shall be returned each day at the end of the employee's or agent's authorized official duties to the employee's or agent's supervisor. All firearms returned each day pursuant to this paragraph shall be stored in locked containers located in a secure area; (11) A county correctional police officer at all times while in the State of New Jersey, provided the officer annually passes an examination approved by the superintendent testing the officer's proficiency in the handling of firearms; (12) A county prosecutor, assistant prosecutor, federal prosecutor, municipal prosecutor, Attorney General, assistant attorney general, deputy attorney general and federal, State, county, or municipal court judge, including a judge of the Tax Court and any other court of limited jurisdiction established, altered, or abolished by law, a judge of the Office of Administrative Law, a judge of the Division of Workers' Compensation at all times while in this State. Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a person subject to this paragraph shall take and successfully complete a firearms training course administered by the Police Training Commission pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a handgun or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm. The superintendent may issue identification cards indicating that such a person is permitted to carry a handgun pursuant to this paragraph. b. Subsections a., b. and c. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to: (1) A law enforcement officer employed by a governmental agency outside of the State of New Jersey while actually engaged in the officer's official duties, provided, however, that the officer has first notified the superintendent or the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality or the prosecutor of the county in which the officer is engaged; or (2) A licensed dealer in firearms and the dealer's registered employees during the course of their normal business while traveling to and from their place of business and other places for the purpose of demonstration, exhibition or delivery in connection with a sale, provided, however, that the weapon is carried in the manner specified in subsection g. of this section. c. Provided a person complies with the requirements of subsection j. of this section, subsections b. and c. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to: (1) A special agent of the Division of Taxation who has passed an examination in an approved police training program testing proficiency in the handling of any firearm which the agent may be required to carry, while in the actual performance of the agent's official duties and while going to or from the agent's place of duty, or any other police officer, while in the actual performance of the officer's official duties; (2) A State deputy conservation police officer or a full-time employee of the Division of Parks and Forestry having the power of arrest and authorized to carry weapons, while in the actual performance of the officer's official duties; (3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1986, c.150.) (4) A court attendant appointed by the sheriff of the county or by the judge of any municipal court or other court of this State, while in the actual performance of the attendant's official duties; (5) A guard employed by any railway express company, banking or building and loan or savings and loan institution of this State, while in the actual performance of the guard's official duties; (6) A member of a legally recognized military organization while actually under orders or while going to or from the prescribed place of meeting and carrying the weapons prescribed for drill, exercise or parade; (7) A municipal humane law enforcement officer, authorized pursuant to subsection d. of section 25 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.1), or humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals authorized pursuant to subsection c. of section 29 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.5), while in the actual performance of the officer's duties; (8) An employee of a public utilities corporation actually engaged in the transportation of explosives; (9) A railway policeman, except a transit police officer of the New Jersey Transit Police Department, at all times while in the State of New Jersey, provided that the person has passed an approved police academy training program consisting of at least 280 hours. The training program shall include, but need not be limited to, the handling of firearms, community relations, and juvenile relations; (10) A campus police officer appointed under P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2 et seq.) at all times. Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a campus police officer shall take and successfully complete a firearms training course administered by the Police Training Commission, pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm; (11) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2003, c.168). (12) A transit police officer of the New Jersey Transit Police Department, at all times while in the State of New Jersey, provided the officer has satisfied the training requirements of the Police Training Commission, pursuant to subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.1989, c.291 (C.27:25-15.1); (13) A parole officer employed by the State Parole Board at all times. Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a parole officer shall take and successfully complete a basic course for regular police officer training administered by the Police Training Commission, pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm; (14) A Human Services police officer at all times while in the State of New Jersey, as authorized by the Commissioner of Human Services; (15) A person or employee of any person who, pursuant to and as required by a contract with a governmental entity, supervises or transports persons charged with or convicted of an offense; (16) A housing authority police officer appointed under P.L.1997, c.210 (C.40A:14-146.19 et al.) at all times while in the State of New Jersey; or (17) A probation officer assigned to the "Probation Officer Community Safety Unit" created by section 2 of P.L.2001, c.362 (C.2B:10A-2) while in the actual performance of the probation officer's official duties. Prior to being permitted to carry a firearm, a probation officer shall take and successfully complete a basic course for regular police officer training administered by the Police Training Commission, pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.), and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon prior to being permitted to carry a firearm. d. (1) Subsections c. and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to antique firearms, provided that the antique firearms are unloaded or are being fired for the purposes of exhibition or demonstration at an authorized target range or in another manner approved in writing by the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the exhibition or demonstration is held, or if not held on property under the control of a particular municipality, the superintendent. (2) Subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-3 and subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to an antique cannon that is capable of being fired but that is unloaded and immobile, provided that the antique cannon is possessed by (a) a scholastic institution, a museum, a municipality, a county or the State, or (b) a person who obtained a firearms purchaser identification card as specified in N.J.S.2C:58-3. (3) Subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-3 and subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to an unloaded antique cannon that is being transported by one eligible to possess it, in compliance with regulations the superintendent may promulgate, between its permanent location and place of purchase or repair. (4) Subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-3 and subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to antique cannons that are being loaded or fired by one eligible to possess an antique cannon, for purposes of exhibition or demonstration at an authorized target range or in the manner as has been approved in writing by the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the exhibition or demonstration is held, or if not held on property under the control of a particular municipality, the superintendent, provided that performer has given at least 30 days' notice to the superintendent. (5) Subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-3 and subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 do not apply to the transportation of unloaded antique cannons directly to or from exhibitions or demonstrations authorized under paragraph (4) of subsection d. of this section, provided that the transportation is in compliance with safety regulations the superintendent may promulgate. Those subsections shall not apply to transportation directly to or from exhibitions or demonstrations authorized under the law of another jurisdiction, provided that the superintendent has been given 30 days' notice and that the transportation is in compliance with safety regulations the superintendent may promulgate. e. Nothing in subsections b., c., and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent a person keeping or carrying about the person's place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed by the person, any firearm, or from carrying the same, in the manner specified in subsection g. of this section, from any place of purchase to the person's residence or place of business, between the person's dwelling and place of business, between one place of business or residence and another when moving, or between the person's dwelling or place of business and place where the firearms are repaired, for the purpose of repair. For the purposes of this section, a place of business shall be deemed to be a fixed location. f. Nothing in subsections b., c., and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent: (1) A member of any rifle or pistol club organized in accordance with the rules prescribed by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, in going to or from a place of target practice, carrying firearms necessary for target practice, provided that the club has filed a copy of its charter with the superintendent and annually submits a list of its members to the superintendent and provided further that the firearms are carried in the manner specified in subsection g. of this section; (2) A person carrying a firearm or knife in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this State for the purpose of hunting, target practice or fishing, provided that the firearm or knife is legal and appropriate for hunting or fishing purposes in this State and the person has in the person's possession a valid hunting license, or, with respect to fresh water fishing, a valid fishing license; (3) A person transporting any firearm or knife while traveling: (a) Directly to or from any place for the purpose of hunting or fishing, provided the person has in the person's possession a valid hunting or fishing license; or (b) Directly to or from any target range, or other authorized place for the purpose of practice, match, target, trap or skeet shooting exhibitions, provided in all cases that during the course of the travel all firearms are carried in the manner specified in subsection g. of this section and the person has complied with all the provisions and requirements of Title 23 of the Revised Statutes and any amendments thereto and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; or (c) In the case of a firearm, directly to or from any exhibition or display of firearms which is sponsored by any law enforcement agency, any rifle or pistol club, or any firearms collectors club, for the purpose of displaying the firearms to the public or to the members of the organization or club, provided, however, that not less than 30 days prior to the exhibition or display, notice of the exhibition or display shall be given to the Superintendent of the State Police by the sponsoring organization or club, and the sponsor has complied with any reasonable safety regulations the superintendent may promulgate. Any firearms transported pursuant to this section shall be transported in the manner specified in subsection g. of this section; (4) A person from keeping or carrying about a private or commercial aircraft or any boat, or from transporting to or from the aircraft or boat for the purpose of installation or repair of a visual distress signaling device approved by the United States Coast Guard. g. Any weapon being transported under paragraph (2) of subsection b., subsection e., or paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection f. of this section shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel shall include only deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances. h. Nothing in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent any employee of a public utility, as defined in R.S.48:2-13, doing business in this State or any United States Postal Service employee, while in the actual performance of duties which specifically require regular and frequent visits to private premises, from possessing, carrying or using any device which projects, releases or emits any substance specified as being noninjurious to canines or other animals by the Commissioner of Health and which immobilizes only on a temporary basis and produces only temporary physical discomfort through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air for the sole purpose of repelling canine or other animal attacks. The device shall be used solely to repel only those canine or other animal attacks when the canines or other animals are not restrained in a fashion sufficient to allow the employee to properly perform the employee's duties. Any device used pursuant to this act shall be selected from a list of products, which consist of active and inert ingredients, permitted by the Commissioner of Health. i. (1) Nothing in N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent any person who is 18 years of age or older and who has not been convicted of a crime, from possession for the purpose of personal self-defense of one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather, is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air. Any person in possession of any device in violation of this subsection shall be deemed and adjudged to be a disorderly person, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, nothing in N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent a health inspector or investigator operating pursuant to the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1977, c.443 (C.26:3A2-25) or a building inspector from possessing a device which is capable of releasing more than three-quarters of an ounce of a chemical substance, as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, while in the actual performance of the inspector's or investigator's duties, provided that the device does not exceed the size of those used by law enforcement. j. A person shall qualify for an exemption from the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-5, as specified under subsections a. and c. of this section, if the person has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course approved by the Police Training Commission. The exempt person shall not possess or carry a firearm until the person has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course and shall annually qualify in the use of a revolver or similar weapon. For purposes of this subsection, a "firearms training course" means a course of instruction in the safe use, maintenance and storage of firearms which is approved by the Police Training Commission. The commission shall approve a firearms training course if the requirements of the course are substantially equivalent to the requirements for firearms training provided by police training courses which are certified under section 6 of P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-71). A person who is specified in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of subsection a. of this section shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection. k. Nothing in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent any financial institution, or any duly authorized personnel of the institution, from possessing, carrying or using for the protection of money or property, any device which projects, releases or emits tear gas or other substances intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or temporary identification. l. Nothing in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent a law enforcement officer who retired in good standing, including a retirement because of a disability pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-6), section 7 of P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-7), section 1 of P.L.1989, c.103 (C.43:16A-6.1), or any substantially similar statute governing the disability retirement of federal law enforcement officers, provided the officer was a regularly employed, full-time law enforcement officer for an aggregate of four or more years prior to the officer's disability retirement and further provided that the disability which constituted the basis for the officer's retirement did not involve a certification that the officer was mentally incapacitated for the performance of the officer's usual law enforcement duties and any other available duty in the department which the officer's employer was willing to assign to the officer or does not subject that retired officer to any of the disabilities set forth in subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:58-3 which would disqualify the retired officer from possessing or carrying a firearm, who semi-annually qualifies in the use of the handgun the officer is permitted to carry in accordance with the requirements and procedures established by the Attorney General pursuant to subsection j. of this section and pays the actual costs associated with those semi-annual qualifications, who is 75 years of age or younger, and who was regularly employed as a full-time member of the State Police; a full-time member of an interstate police force; a full-time member of a county or municipal police department in this State; a full-time member of a State law enforcement agency; a full-time sheriff, undersheriff or sheriff's officer of a county of this State; a full-time State or county correctional police officer; a full-time State correctional police officer or county correctional police officer; a full-time State or county park police officer; a full-time special agent of the Division of Taxation; a full-time Human Services police officer; a full-time transit police officer of the New Jersey Transit Police Department; a full-time campus police officer exempted pursuant to paragraph (10) of subsection c. of this section; a full-time State conservation police officer exempted pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection a. of this section; a full-time Palisades Interstate Park officer appointed pursuant to R.S.32:14-21; a full-time Burlington County Bridge police officer appointed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1960, c.168 (C.27:19-36.3); a full-time housing authority police officer exempted pursuant to paragraph (16) of subsection c. of this section; a full-time juvenile correctional police officer exempted pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection a. of this section; a full-time parole officer exempted pursuant to paragraph (13) of subsection c. of this section; a full-time railway policeman exempted pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection c. of this section; a full-time county prosecutor's detective or investigator; a full-time federal law enforcement officer; or is a qualified retired law enforcement officer, as used in the federal "Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004," Pub.L.108-277, domiciled in this State from carrying a handgun in the same manner as law enforcement officers exempted under paragraph (7) of subsection a. of this section. A retired law enforcement officer shall be entitled to carry a handgun pursuant to this subsection under the following conditions: (1) The retired law enforcement officer shall make application in writing to the Superintendent of State Police for approval to carry a handgun every two years. A renewal application shall be submitted in the same manner. (2) Upon receipt of the written application of the retired law enforcement officer, the superintendent shall request a verification of service from the chief law enforcement officer of the organization in which the retired officer was last regularly employed as a full-time law enforcement officer prior to retiring. The verification of service shall include: (a) The name and address of the retired officer; (b) The date that the retired officer was hired and the date that the officer retired; (c) A list of all handguns known to be registered to that officer; (d) A statement that, to the reasonable knowledge of the chief law enforcement officer, the retired officer is not subject to any of the restrictions set forth in subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:58-3; and (e) A statement that the officer retired in good standing. (3) If the superintendent approves a retired officer's application or reapplication to carry a handgun pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, the superintendent shall notify in writing the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality wherein that retired officer resides. In the event the retired officer resides in a municipality which has no chief law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency, the superintendent shall maintain a record of the approval. (4) The superintendent shall issue to an approved retired officer an identification card permitting the retired officer to carry a handgun pursuant to this subsection. This identification card shall be valid for two years from the date of issuance and shall be valid throughout the State. The identification card shall not be transferable to any other person. The identification card shall be carried at all times on the person of the retired officer while the retired officer is carrying a handgun. The retired officer shall produce the identification card for review on the demand of any law enforcement officer or authority. (5) Any person aggrieved by the denial of the superintendent of approval for a permit to carry a handgun pursuant to this subsection may request a hearing in the Superior Court of New Jersey in the county in which the person resides by filing a written request for a hearing within 30 days of the denial. Copies of the request shall be served upon the superintendent and the county prosecutor. The hearing shall be held within 30 days of the filing of the request, and no formal pleading or filing fee shall be required. Appeals from the determination of the hearing shall be in accordance with law and the rules governing the courts of this State. (6) A judge of the Superior Court may revoke a retired officer's privilege to carry a handgun pursuant to this subsection for good cause shown on the application of any interested person. A person who becomes subject to any of the disabilities set forth in subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:58-3 shall surrender, as prescribed by the superintendent, the person's identification card issued under paragraph (4) of this subsection to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality wherein the person resides or the superintendent, and shall be permanently disqualified to carry a handgun under this subsection. (7) The superintendent may charge a reasonable application fee to retired officers to offset any costs associated with administering the application process set forth in this subsection. m. Nothing in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent duly authorized personnel of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, while in the actual performance of duties, from possessing, transporting or using any device that projects, releases or emits any substance specified as being non-injurious to wildlife by the Director of the Division of Animal Health in the Department of Agriculture, and which may immobilize wildlife and produces only temporary physical discomfort through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air for the purpose of repelling bear or other animal attacks or for the aversive conditioning of wildlife. n. Nothing in subsection b., c., d. or e. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent duly authorized personnel of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, while in the actual performance of duties, from possessing, transporting or using hand held pistol-like devices, rifles or shotguns that launch pyrotechnic missiles for the sole purpose of frightening, hazing or aversive conditioning of nuisance or depredating wildlife; from possessing, transporting or using rifles, pistols or similar devices for the sole purpose of chemically immobilizing wild or non-domestic animals; or, provided the duly authorized person complies with the requirements of subsection j. of this section, from possessing, transporting or using rifles or shotguns, upon completion of a Police Training Commission approved training course, in order to dispatch injured or dangerous animals or for non-lethal use for the purpose of frightening, hazing or aversive conditioning of nuisance or depredating wildlife. amended 1979, c.179, s.5; 1979, c.332, s.8; 1981, c.108, s.1; 1981, c.219, s.1; 1981, c.294, s.1; 1981, c.409, s.2; 1981, c.480, s.1; 1981, c.511, s.4; 1982, c.154, s.1; 1982, c.173, s.1; 1983, c.479, s.3; 1983, c.552; 1985, c.76, s.8; 1985, c.150, s.1; 1985, c.324, s.1 (s.3 eff. date amended 1986, c.64); 1985, c.376, s.1; 1985, c.439, s.13,(s.15 eff. date amended 1986, c.2); 1986, c.150, ss.7,8; 1987, c.139; 1987, c.172; 1989, c.291, s.4; 1991, c.327, s.2; 1991, c.386, s.3; 1992, c.94, s.2; 1993, c.246, s.2; 1995, c.273, s.2; 1995, c.280, s.21; 1997, c.67, s.1; 1997, c.210, s.6; 1997, c.393; 2001, c.79, s.15; 2001, c.362, s.4; 2003, c.168, s.2; 2005, c.216, s.1; 2005, c.372, s.14; 2007, c.313; 2007, c.314; 2013, c.219; 2017, c.110. 2017, c.293, s.3; 2017, c.331, s.4; 2019, c.219, s.5; 2019, c.407, s.2; 2022, c.131, s.8; 2025, c.35, s.21.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-7 Certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition.

6. Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons or Ammunition. a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, any person, having been convicted in this State or elsewhere of the crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit the crime, of aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, bias intimidation in violation of N.J.S.2C:16-1, carjacking in violation of section 1 of P.L.1993, c.221 (C.2C:15-2), gang criminality in violation of section 1 of P.L.2007, c.341 (C.2C:33-29), racketeering in violation of N.J.S.2C:41-2, terroristic threats in violation of N.J.S.2C:12-3, unlawful possession of a machine gun in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, unlawful possession of a handgun in violation of paragraph (1) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, unlawful possession of an assault firearm in violation of subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, leader of firearms trafficking network in violation of section 1 of P.L.1995, c.405 (C.2C:39-16),or endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, whether or not armed with or having in the person's possession any weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, or any person convicted of a crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-3, N.J.S.2C:39-4 or N.J.S.2C:39-9, or any person who has ever been committed for a mental disorder to any hospital, mental institution or sanitarium unless the person possesses a certificate of a medical doctor or psychiatrist licensed to practice in New Jersey or other satisfactory proof that the person is no longer suffering from a mental disorder which interferes with or handicaps the person in the handling of a firearm, or any person who has been convicted of an offense, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense, for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.2C:35-2, other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense, who purchases, owns, possesses or controls any of the specified weapons or any ammunition as defined in section 2 of P.L.2018, c.35 (C.2C:58-21) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. b. (1) A person having been convicted in this State or elsewhere of the crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit the crime, of aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, bias intimidation in violation of N.J.S.2C:16-1, carjacking in violation of section 1 of P.L.1993, c.221 (C.2C:15-2), gang criminality in violation of section 1 of P.L.2007, c.341 (C.2C:33-29), racketeering in violation of N.J.S.2C:41-2, terroristic threats in violation of N.J.S.2C:12-3, unlawful possession of a machine gun in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, unlawful possession of a handgun in violation of paragraph (1) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, unlawful possession of an assault firearm in violation of subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, leader of firearms trafficking network in violation of section 1 of P.L.1995, c.405 (C.2C:39-16), endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, stalking pursuant to P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10) or a crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime, involving domestic violence as defined in section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19), whether or not armed with or having in the person's possession a weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, or a person having been convicted of a crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:35-3 through N.J.S.2C:35-6, inclusive; section 1 of P.L.1987, c.101 (C.2C:35-7); N.J.S.2C:35-11; N.J.S.2C:39-3; N.J.S.2C:39-4; or N.J.S.2C:39-9 who purchases, owns, possesses or controls a firearm is guilty of a crime of the second degree and upon conviction thereof, the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term, which shall be fixed at five years, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. If the defendant is sentenced to an extended term of imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:43-7, the extended term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term, which shall be fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or five years, whichever is greater, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. (2) A person having been convicted in this State or elsewhere of a disorderly persons offense involving domestic violence, whether or not armed with or having in the person's possession a weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, who purchases, owns, possesses or controls a firearm or ammunition is guilty of a crime of the third degree. (3) A person whose firearm is seized pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et seq.) and whose firearm has not been returned, or who is subject to a court order prohibiting the possession of firearms issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et seq.) who purchases, owns, possesses or controls a firearm or ammunition is guilty of a crime of the third degree, except that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any law enforcement officer while actually on duty, or to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or member of the National Guard while actually on duty or traveling to or from an authorized place of duty. (4) A person who is subject to a court order prohibiting the custody, control, ownership, purchase, possession, or receipt of a firearm or ammunition issued pursuant to the "Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018," P.L.2018, c.35 (C.2C:58-20 et al.) who purchases, acquires, owns, possesses, or controls a firearm or ammunition is guilty of a crime of the third degree. c. Whenever any person shall have been convicted in another state, territory, commonwealth or other jurisdiction of the United States, or any country in the world, in a court of competent jurisdiction, of a crime, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime, which in the other jurisdiction or country is comparable to one of the crimes enumerated in subsection a. or b. of this section, then that person shall be subject to the provisions of this section. L.1979, c.179, s.6; amended 1987, c.106, s.6; 1991, c.436; 1992, c.74, s.3; 1995, c.114; 2001, c.216; 2001, c.443, s.5; 2003, c.277, s.3; 2018, c.34, s.13; 2019, c.165, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-8 Reckless discharge of firearms offense; definitions; violations, convictions.

1. a. For the purposes of this act: “Recklessly” shall have the same meaning as set forth in paragraph (3) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:2-2. “Structure” means any building, room, ship, vessel, car, vehicle, or airplane, and also means any place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons or for carrying on business therein. b. A person commits a disorderly persons offense by recklessly discharging a firearm using live ammunition rounds unlawfully or without a lawful purpose, except that a second conviction for such an offense constitutes a crime of the fourth degree, and a third or subsequent conviction for such an offense constitutes a crime of the third degree. c. A person who commits a violation of subsection b. of this section shall be charged with a crime of one degree higher than what ordinarily would be charged for such offense, where the violation occurs within 100 yards of: (1) an occupied structure; or (2) a school, college, university or other educational institution, school bus, or child care facility, whether or not occupied. A map or true copy of a map depicting the location and boundaries of the area within 100 yards of any property subject to this subsection may be used in a prosecution under this subsection. d. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8, or any other provisions of law, a conviction arising under this section shall not merge with any other related conviction and a separate sentence shall be imposed upon each such conviction. e. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:44-5 or any other provisions of law, when the court imposes multiple sentences of imprisonment for more than one offense, those sentences shall run consecutively. f. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution if while engaging in conduct prohibited under this section, the actor was acting otherwise in lawful self-defense. L.2025, c.364.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9 Manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons and dangerous instruments and appliances.

2C:39-9. Manufacture, Transport, Disposition and Defacement of Weapons and Dangerous Instruments and Appliances. a. Machine guns. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any machine gun without being registered or licensed to do so as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes is guilty of a crime of the third degree. b. Sawed-off shotguns. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any sawed-off shotgun is guilty of a crime of the third degree. c. Firearm silencers. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any firearm silencer is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. d. Weapons. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any weapon, including gravity knives, switchblade knives, ballistic knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, billies, blackjacks, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti or similar leather bands studded with metal filings, or, except as otherwise provided in subsection i. of this section, in the case of firearms if he is not licensed or registered to do so as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any weapon or other device which projects, releases or emits tear gas or other substances intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air, which is intended to be used for any purpose other than for authorized military or law enforcement purposes by duly authorized military or law enforcement personnel or the device is for the purpose of personal self-defense, is pocket-sized and contains not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, or other than to be used by any person permitted to possess such weapon or device under the provisions of subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5, which is intended for use by financial and other business institutions as part of an integrated security system, placed at fixed locations, for the protection of money and property, by the duly authorized personnel of those institutions, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. e. Defaced firearms. Any person who defaces any firearm is guilty of a crime of the third degree. Any person who knowingly buys, receives, disposes of or conceals a defaced firearm, except an antique firearm or an antique handgun, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. f. (1) Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells, or disposes of any armor-piercing ammunition, as defined in subsection gg. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, which is intended to be used for any purpose other than for authorized military or law enforcement purposes by duly authorized military or law enforcement personnel, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. (2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent a licensed collector of ammunition as defined in paragraph (2) of subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-3 from transporting the bullets defined in paragraph (1) of this subsection from (a) any licensed retail or wholesale firearms dealer's place of business to the collector's dwelling, premises, or other land owned or possessed by him; or (b) to or from the collector's dwelling, premises or other land owned or possessed by him to any gun show for the purposes of display, sale, trade, or transfer between collectors; or (c) to or from the collector's dwelling, premises or other land owned or possessed by him to any rifle or pistol club organized in accordance with the rules prescribed by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice; provided that the club has filed a copy of its charter with the superintendent of the State Police and annually submits a list of its members to the superintendent, and provided further that the ammunition being transported shall be carried not loaded in any firearm and contained in a closed and fastened case or gun box or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and the course of travel shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances. g. Assault firearms. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells, or disposes of an assault firearm without being registered or licensed to do so pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-1 et seq. is guilty of a crime of the third degree. h. Large capacity ammunition magazines. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells, or disposes of a large capacity ammunition magazine which is intended to be used for any purpose other than for authorized military or law enforcement purposes by duly authorized military or law enforcement personnel is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. i. Transporting firearms into this State for an unlawful sale or transfer. Any person who knowingly transports, ships, or otherwise brings into this State any firearm for the purpose of unlawfully selling, transferring, giving, assigning, or otherwise disposing of that firearm to another individual is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Any motor vehicle used by a person to transport, ship, or otherwise bring a firearm into this State for unlawful sale or transfer shall be subject to forfeiture in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:64-1 et seq., provided however, this forfeiture provision shall not apply to innocent owners, nor shall it affect the rights of a holder of a valid lien. The temporary transfer of a firearm shall not constitute a violation of this subsection if that firearm is transferred: (1) while hunting or target shooting in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1992, c.74 (C.2C:58-3.1); (2) for shooting competitions sponsored by a licensed dealer, law enforcement agency, legally recognized military organization, or a rifle or pistol club which has filed a copy of its charter with the superintendent in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1992, c.74 (C.2C:58-3.1); or (3) for participation in a training course conducted by a certified instructor in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1997, c.375 (C.2C:58-3.2). The transfer of any firearm that uses air or carbon dioxide to expel a projectile or the transfer of an antique firearm shall not constitute a violation of this subsection. j. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells, or disposes of a bump stock as defined in subsection ee. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, a trigger crank as defined in subsection ff. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, or a machine gun conversion device as defined in subsection pp. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 is guilty of a crime of the third degree. k. Purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number. In addition to any other criminal penalties provided under law, a person who, with the purpose to manufacture or otherwise assemble a firearm and without being registered or licensed do so as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, purchases or otherwise obtains separately or as part of a kit a firearm frame or firearm receiver which is not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer or any combination of parts from which a firearm without a serial number may be readily manufactured or otherwise assembled, but which does not have the capacity to function as a firearm unless manufactured or otherwise assembled, is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other law, a conviction under this subsection shall not merge with a conviction for any other criminal offense, and the court shall impose separate sentences upon a violation of this subsection and any other criminal offense. As used in this subsection, "firearm frame or firearm receiver" means the part of a firearm that provides housing for the firearm's internal components, such as the hammer, bolt or breechblock, action, and firing mechanism, and includes without limitation any object or part which is not a firearm frame or receiver in finished form but is designed or intended to be used for that purpose and which may readily be made into a firearm frame or receiver through milling or other means. l. Manufacturing or facilitating the manufacture of a firearm using a three-dimensional printer. In addition to any other criminal penalties provided under law, it is a second-degree crime for: (1) a person who is not registered or licensed to do so as a manufacturer, as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, to use a three-dimensional printer or similar device to manufacture or produce a firearm, firearm receiver, magazine, or firearm component; or (2) a person to distribute by any means, including the Internet, to a person in New Jersey who is not registered or licensed as a manufacturer, as provided in chapter 58 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, digital instructions in the form of computer-aided design files or other code or instructions stored and displayed in electronic format as a digital model that may be used to program a three-dimensional printer to manufacture or produce a firearm, firearm receiver, magazine, or firearm component. As used in this subsection: "three-dimensional printer" means a computer or computer-driven machine or device capable of producing a three-dimensional object from a digital model; and "distribute" means to sell or to manufacture, give, provide, lend, trade, mail, deliver, publish, circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit, display, share, advertise, offer, or make available via the Internet or by any other means, whether for pecuniary gain or not, and includes an agreement or attempt to distribute. m. Covert or undetectable firearms. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells, or disposes of any covert firearm as defined in subsection hh. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any undetectable firearm as defined in subsection ii. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 is guilty of a crime of the second degree. n. Transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number. In addition to any other criminal penalties provided under law, a person who transports, ships, sells, or disposes of a firearm manufactured or otherwise assembled using a firearm frame or firearm receiver as defined in subsection k. of this section which is not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer, including but not limited to a firearm manufactured or otherwise assembled from parts purchased or otherwise obtained in violation of subsection k. of this section, is guilty of a crime of the second degree. amended 1979, c.179, s.7; 1980, c.108; 1981, c.480, s.2; 1983, c.58, s.2; 1987, c.228, s.3; 1990, c.32, s.3; 1999, c.233, s.3; 2007, c.298; 2013, c.111, s.1; 2017, c.323, s.3; 2018, c.38, s.3; 2018, c.138, s.3; 2019, c.165, s.3; 2022, c.53.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9.1 Sale of knives to minors; crime of the fourth degree; exceptions

4. A person who sells any hunting, fishing, combat or survival knife having a blade length of five inches or more or an overall length of 10 inches or more to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the fourth degree; except that the establishment by a preponderance of the evidence of all of the following facts by a person making the sale shall constitute an affirmative defense to any prosecution therefor: a. that the purchaser falsely represented his age by producing a driver's license bearing a photograph of the licensee, or by producing a photographic identification card issued pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1980, c. 47 (C.39:3-29.3), or by producing a similar card purporting to be a valid identification card indicating that he was 18 years of age or older, and b. that the appearance of the purchaser was such that an ordinary prudent person would believe him to be 18 years of age or older, and c. that the sale was made in good faith relying upon the indicators of age listed in a. and b. above. L.1987,c.228,s.4; amended 2003, c.175, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9.2 Sale of handcuffs to minors, prohibited

2. A person who sells handcuffs to a person under 18 years of age is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A law enforcement officer shall confiscate handcuffs sold in violation of the law. As used in this section, "handcuffs" mean a device, conventionally used for law enforcement purposes, that can be tightened and locked about the wrists for the purpose of restraining a person's movement. L.1991,c.437,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-10 Violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms; false representation in applications.

2C:39-10. Violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms; false representation in applications. a. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) and paragraph (4) of this subsection, any person who knowingly or recklessly violates the regulatory provisions relating to manufacturing or wholesaling of firearms N.J.S.2C:58-1, retailing of firearms N.J.S.2C:58-2, permits to purchase certain firearms N.J.S.2C:58-3, permits to carry certain firearms N.J.S.2C:58-4, licenses to procure machine guns or assault firearms N.J.S.2C:58-5, or incendiary or tracer ammunition N.J.S.2C:58-10, except acts which are punishable under section N.J.S.2C:58-5 or section N.J.S.2C:58-2, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. (2) A licensed dealer who knowingly violates the provisions of subparagraph (d) of paragraph (5) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:58-2 is a disorderly person. (3) If, upon review, a law enforcement agency determines that a licensed dealer has sold, transferred, assigned, or otherwise disposed of an inordinate number of firearms and that licensed dealer knew, or should have known, that the firearms would be used in the commission of a crime or would be transferred to a person in order for the firearms to be used for an unlawful purpose, that dealer's license shall, after a hearing, be permanently revoked. (4) A licensed dealer who sells or transfers a firearm to a person when the dealer knows or reasonably should know that person intends to sell, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of that firearm to a person who is disqualified from possessing a firearm under State or federal law is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the sentence imposed for a conviction under this subsection shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 18 months, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole, provided, however, if the firearm was used in the commission of a crime, the sentence imposed under this subsection shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three years, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. Further, a person convicted under this subsection shall be permanently disqualified from holding a retail license under N.J.S.2C:58-2. As used in this paragraph, “reasonably should know” means that a person reasonably should know a fact when, under the circumstances, a person of reasonable prudence and competence would ascertain or know the fact. (5) A person who is disqualified from possessing a firearm under State or federal law who knowingly solicits, persuades, encourages, or entices a licensed dealer or other person to sell, give, transfer, or assign a firearm to the disqualified person under circumstances which the disqualified person knows would violate State or federal law is guilty of a crime of the third degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other law, a conviction under this subsection shall not merge with a conviction for any other criminal offense, and the court shall impose separate sentences upon a violation of this subsection and any other criminal offense. b. Any person who knowingly violates the regulatory provisions relating to notifying the authorities of possessing certain items of explosives N.J.S.2C:58-7, or of certain wounds N.J.S.2C:58-8 is a disorderly person. c. Any person who gives or causes to be given any false information, or signs a fictitious name or address, in applying for a firearms purchaser identification card, a permit to purchase a handgun, a permit to carry a handgun, a permit to possess a machine gun, a permit to possess an assault firearm, or in completing the certificate or any other instrument required by law in purchasing or otherwise acquiring delivery of any rifle, shotgun, handgun, machine gun, or assault firearm or any other firearm, is guilty of a crime of the third degree. d. Any person who gives or causes to be given any false information in registering an assault firearm pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-12) or in certifying that an assault firearm was rendered inoperable pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-13) commits a crime of the fourth degree. e. Any person who knowingly sells, gives, transfers, assigns, or otherwise disposes of a firearm to a person who is under the age of 18 years, except as permitted in section 14 of P.L.1979, c.179 (C.2C:58-6.1), is guilty of a crime of the second degree. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the sentence imposed for a conviction under this subsection shall include a mandatory minimum five-year term of imprisonment, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. f. Unless the recipient is authorized to possess the handgun in connection with the performance of official duties under the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-6, any person who knowingly sells, gives, transfers, assigns, or otherwise disposes of a handgun to a person who is under the age of 21 years, except as permitted in section 14 of P.L.1979, c.179 (C.2C:58-6.1), is guilty of a crime of the third degree. g. Any person who knowingly gives or causes to be given any false information or knowingly engages in any other fraudulent conduct in applying for an exemption to purchase more than one handgun in a 30-day period in violation of the provisions of section 4 of P.L.2009, c.186 (C.2C:58-3.4) shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree. The presumption of nonimprisonment set forth in N.J.S.2C:44-1 shall not apply to persons convicted under the provisions of this subsection. amended 1979, c.179, s.8; 1990, c.32, s.4; 1993, c.49, s.1; 1999, c.233, s.4; 2000, c.145, s.2; 2009, c.186, s.3; 2013, c.108, s.1; 2013, c.111, s.2; 2019, c.166; 2025, c.203.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-11 Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms

a. Any pawnbroker who sells, offers to sell or to lend or to give away any weapon, destructive device or explosive is guilty of a crime of the third degree. b. Any person who loans money, the security for which is any handgun, rifle or shotgun is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:39-11, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1979, c. 179, s. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-12 Voluntary surrender.

2C:39-12. No person shall be convicted of an offense under this chapter for possessing any firearms, weapons, destructive devices, large capacity ammunition magazines, silencers or explosives, if after giving written notice of his intention to do so, including the proposed date and time of surrender, he voluntarily surrendered the weapon, device, instrument or substance in question to the superintendent or to the chief of police in the municipality in which he resides, provided that the required notice is received by the superintendent or chief of police before any charges have been made or complaints filed against such person for the unlawful possession of the weapon, device, instrument or substance in question and before any investigation has been commenced by any law enforcement agency concerning the unlawful possession. Nothing in this section shall be construed as granting immunity from prosecution for any crime or offense except that of the unlawful possession of such weapons, devices, instruments or substances surrendered as herein provided. amended 2018, c.39, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-13 Unlawful use of body vests

1. Unlawful use of body vests. A person is guilty of a crime if he uses or wears a body vest while engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, kidnaping, criminal escape or assault under N.J.S.2C:12-1b. Use or wearing a body vest while engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit a crime of the first degree is a crime of the second degree. Otherwise it is a crime of the third degree. As used in this section, "body vest" means bullet-resistant body armor which is intended to provide ballistic and trauma protection. L.1983,c.152,s.1; amended 1999, c.306.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-14 2nd degree crimes

a. Any person who teaches or demonstrates to any other person the use, application, or making of any firearm, explosive or destructive device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to a person, knowing or having reason to know or intending that it will be employed for use in, or in furtherance of, an illegal activity is guilty of a crime of the second degree. b. Any person who assembles with one or more persons for the purpose of training with, practicing with, or being instructed in the use of any firearm, explosive or destructive device, or technique capable of causing injury or death to a person, intending to unlawfully employ it for use in, or in furtherance of, an illegal activity is guilty of a crime of the second degree. L. 1983, c. 229, s.1; amended by 1988,c.76,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-15 Gun advertising requirement

Any person who offers to sell a machine gun, semi-automatic rifle, or assault firearm by means of an advertisement published in a newspaper circulating within this State, which advertisement does not specify that the purchaser shall hold a valid license to purchase and possess a machine gun or assault firearm, or a valid firearms identification card to purchase and possess an automatic or semi-automatic rifle, is a disorderly person. L.1983,c.515,s.1; amended 1990,c.32,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-16 "Leader of a firearms trafficking network" defined; first degree crime; fines; sentencing

1. A person is a leader of a firearms trafficking network if he conspires with others as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager, to engage for profit in a scheme or course of conduct to unlawfully manufacture, transport, ship, sell or dispose of any firearm. Leader of firearms trafficking network is a crime of the first degree. As used in this section: "leader of a firearms trafficking network" means a person who occupies a position of authority or control over other persons in a scheme or organization of illegal firearms manufacturing, transporting, shipping or selling and who exercises that authority or control over others involved in the scheme or organization. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, the court may also impose a fine not to exceed $500,000.00 or five times the value of the firearms involved, whichever is greater. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8, a conviction of leader of firearms trafficking network shall not merge with the conviction for any offense which is the object of the conspiracy. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the court from imposing an extended term pursuant to N.J.S.2C:43-7; nor shall this section be construed in any way to preclude or limit the prosecution or conviction of any person for conspiracy under N.J.S.2C:5-2, or any prosecution or conviction for weapons offenses under the provisions of chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, N.J.S.2C:41-2 (racketeering activities) or subsection g. of N.J.S.2C:5-2 (leader of organized crime). It shall not be necessary in any prosecution under this section for the State to prove that any intended profit was actually realized. The trier of fact may infer that a particular scheme or course of conduct was undertaken for profit from all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to the number of persons involved in the scheme or course of conduct, the actor's net worth and his expenditures in relation to his legitimate sources of income, the amount of firearms involved, or the amount of cash or currency involved. It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this section that the firearms were brought into or transported in this State solely for ultimate distribution or dispensing in another jurisdiction; nor shall it be a defense that any profit was intended to be made in another jurisdiction. L.1995,c.405,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-16.1 Short title.

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Real Accountability for Consequences of Unlawful Trafficking of Firearms Act." L.2023, c.148, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-16.2 Firearm trafficking violation, definition; liability.

2. a. As used in this act, "firearm trafficking violation" means: (1) A violation of paragraph (1) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-10 by selling, giving, transferring, assigning, or otherwise disposing of a handgun to a purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver, or holder who the defendant knows is not licensed as a dealer or has not secured a permit to purchase a handgun pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:58-3; (2) A violation of paragraph (1) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-10 by selling, giving, transferring, assigning, or otherwise disposing of a rifle or shotgun to a purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver, or holder who the defendant knows is not licensed as a dealer or does not possess a valid firearms purchaser identification card and has not complied with the requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:58-3; (3) A violation of paragraph (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:39-10 by selling or transferring a firearm knowing that the recipient intends to sell, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of that firearm to another person who is disqualified from possessing a firearm under State or federal law; (4) A violation of subsection i. of N.J.S.2C:39-9 by transporting, shipping, or otherwise bringing into this State, or conspiring to transport, ship, or otherwise bring into this State, any firearm for the purpose of unlawfully selling, transferring, giving, assigning, or otherwise disposing of that firearm to another individual; (5) A violation of subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:39-10 by selling, giving, transferring, assigning or otherwise disposing of a firearm to a person who is under the age of 18 years, except as permitted in section 14 of P.L.1979, c.179 (C.2C:58-6.1); or (6) A violation of subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (h), (i), (j), (n), (u), or (x) of Title 18 U.S.C. s.922 or subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) of Title 18 U.S.C. s.924. b. (1) A person who purposely commits any firearm trafficking violation enumerated in subsection a. of this section shall be strictly liable for a death that results from the discharge of the illegally trafficked firearm used in the course of committing a crime and shall be guilty of a crime of the first degree. (2) A person who purposely commits any firearm trafficking violation enumerated in subsection a. of this section is strictly liable for a serious bodily injury or significant bodily injury as defined by N.J.S.2C:11-1 that results from the discharge of the illegally trafficked firearm while used in the course of committing a crime and shall be guilty of a crime of the second degree. (3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, an act shall be deemed to be in the course of committing a crime if the act occurs during or as part of an attempt to commit a crime or the commission of a crime or in the immediate flight after the attempt to commit or the commission of a crime. c. The act of selling, giving, transferring, assigning, or otherwise disposing of a firearm shall be deemed a cause of death, serious bodily injury, or significant bodily injury when: (1) the act is an antecedent but for which the death, serious bodily injury, or significant bodily injury would not have occurred; (2) the death, serious bodily injury, or significant bodily injury occurred not more than three years from the person's act; and (3) the death, serious bodily injury, or significant bodily injury was not dependent upon the conduct of another person which was so unrelated to the use of the firearm it did not have a just bearing on the actor's liability. L.2023, c.148, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-16.3 Trier of fact, defendant, requisite mental state, commit, firearm trafficking, conditions.

3. a. In a prosecution under section 2 of P.L.2023, c.148 (C.2C:39-16.2), the trier of fact may infer that the defendant had the requisite mental state to commit a firearm trafficking violation if the defendant: (1) transferred or planned to transfer the firearm within 45 days of the defendant's purchase and receipt of the firearm; (2) sold three or more firearms to the other person within a one-year period; (3) received compensation for the sale of the firearm to another person that was significantly above the fair market value of the firearm; (4) did not conduct the transaction through a licensed retail dealer pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection a. or paragraph (2) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:58-3; or (5) did not abide by the requirements of paragraph (3) of subsection a. or paragraph (3) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:58-3 and did not provide a receipt or other documentation regarding the sale to the other person. b. The provisions of N.J.S.2C:2-3 governing the causal relationship between conduct and result shall not apply in a prosecution under section 2 of P.L.2023, c.148 (C.2C:39-16.2). c. In a prosecution under section 2 of P.L.2023, c.148 (C.2C:39-16.2), the defendant's actions outside of this State shall be sufficient for prosecution if the defendant knew or should have known that the recipient of the firearm intended to possess, transfer, dispose, sell, or otherwise transport the firearm in this State. d. It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under section 2 of P.L.2023, c.148 (C.2C:39-16.2) that: (1) the death or serious or significant bodily injury took place in a jurisdiction other than this State; or (2) the decedent or victim contributed to their own death or serious bodily injury. e. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude, if the evidence so warrants, an indictment and conviction for any other offense. L.2023, c.148, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-17 Retired law enforcement officers permitted to possess, carry certain ammunition.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection j. of N.J.S.2C:39-3, a retired law enforcement officer who is authorized to possess and carry a handgun pursuant to subsection l. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 may possess and carry a large capacity ammunition magazine which is capable of holding up to 15 rounds of ammunition that can be fed continuously and directly into a semi-automatic handgun. L.2018, c.39, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-18 Inapplicability.

4. The provisions of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-17 et al.) shall not apply to the possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine solely used as a prop for a motion picture, television, or video production, provided the large capacity ammunition magazine has been reconfigured to fire blank ammunition and remains under the control of a federal firearms license holder. L.2018, c.39, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-19 Regulations relative to certain current owners of automatic rifles.

5. Except as provided in section 7 of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-20), a person who legally owns a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds or a large capacity ammunition magazine as defined under subsection y. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition on the effective date of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-17 et al.) may retain possession of that rifle or magazine for a period not to exceed 180 days after the effective date of this act. During this time period, the owner of the semi-automatic rifle or magazine shall: a. Transfer the semi-automatic rifle or magazine to any person or firm lawfully entitled to own or possess that firearm or magazine; b. Render the semi-automatic rifle or magazine inoperable or permanently modify a large capacity ammunition magazine to accept 10 rounds or less; or c. Voluntarily surrender the semi-automatic rifle or magazine pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-12. L.2018, c.39, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-20 Registration of certain firearms.

7. a. A person who legally owns a firearm as set forth in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection prior to the effective date of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-17 et al.) shall register that firearm within one year from the effective date: (1) a firearm with a fixed magazine capacity holding up to 15 rounds which is incapable of being modified to accommodate 10 or less rounds; or (2) a firearm which only accepts a detachable magazine with a capacity of up to 15 rounds which is incapable of being modified to accommodate 10 or less rounds. b. In order to register the firearm pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the owner shall: (1) complete a registration statement, in the form to be prescribed by the Superintendent of the State Police; and (2) produce for inspection a valid firearms purchaser identification card, permit to carry a handgun, or permit to purchase a handgun. c. The information provided in the registration statement established pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall include, but shall not be limited to: the name and address of the registrant; the number or numbers on the registrant's firearms purchaser identification card, permit to carry a handgun, or permit to purchase a handgun; and the make, model, and serial number of the firearm being registered. Each registration statement shall be signed by the registrant, and the signature shall constitute a representation of the accuracy of the information contained in the registration statement. d. An applicant shall register the firearm in the law enforcement agency of the municipality in which the applicant resides or, if the municipality does not have a municipal law enforcement agency, any State Police station. e. Within 60 days of the effective date of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-17 et al.), the superintendent shall prepare the form of registration statement as described in subsection c. of this section and shall provide a suitable supply of statements to each organized full-time municipal police department and each State Police station. f. One copy of the completed registration statement shall be returned to the registrant, a second copy shall be sent to the superintendent, and, if the registration takes place at a municipal police department, a third copy shall be retained by that municipal police department. g. The heir or estate of an owner of a firearm which has been registered pursuant to this section shall within 90 days after the owner's death dispose of that firearm in accordance with section 5 of P.L.2018, c.39 (C.2C:39-19). L.2018, c.39, s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-21 Prohibited firearm registration, liability; exceptions, certain.

2. a. A person who lawfully owned a center-fire rifle that is capable of firing a .50 BMG cartridge before the rifle was prohibited under the provisions of paragraph (5) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 by the enactment of P.L.2022, c.54 (C.2C:39-21 et al.) shall register that firearm within one year of the enactment of P.L.2022, c.54 (C.2C:39-21 et al.). In order to register a prohibited firearm, the owner shall complete a registration statement, in the form to be prescribed by the Superintendent of State Police. b. An applicant who resides in a municipality with an organized full-time police department shall register the firearm with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality. All other applicants shall register the firearm with the Superintendent of State Police. c. Within 60 days of the effective date of P.L.2022, c.54 (C.2C:39-21 et al.), the superintendent shall prepare the form of registration statement required under subsection a. of this section and shall provide a suitable supply of statements to each organized full-time municipal police department and each State Police station. d. One copy of the completed prohibited firearm registration statement shall be returned to the registrant, a second copy shall be sent to the superintendent, and, if the registration takes place at a municipal police department, a third copy shall be retained by that municipal police department. e. If the owner of a prohibited firearm that has been registered pursuant to this section dies, the owner's heirs or estate shall, within 90 days, dispose of that firearm in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2022, c.54 (C. 2C:39-22). f. If a prohibited firearm registered pursuant to this section is used in the commission of a crime, the registrant of that prohibited firearm shall be civilly liable for any damages resulting from that crime. The liability imposed by this subsection shall not apply: (1) if the firearm used in the commission of that crime was stolen and the registrant reported the theft of the weapon to law enforcement authorities within 36 hours of discovering that the firearm was stolen; or (2) prior to the commission of the crime, the registrant lawfully transferred the firearm to another person. g. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any antique firearm, curio or relic, or weapon solely used to fire blank ammunition for the purpose of a living historical reenactment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (5) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-1. L.2022, c.54, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-22 Unregistered prohibited firearm, procedure; exceptions, certain.

3. a. A person who lawfully owned a center-fire rifle that is capable of firing a .50 BMG cartridge prohibited under the provisions of paragraph (5) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 on the effective date of P.L.2022, c.54 (C.2C:39-21 et al.) and does not register it pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2022, c.54 (C.2C:39-21) may retain possession of that firearm for a period not to exceed one year from that effective date. During that time period, the owner of the prohibited firearm shall either: (1) transfer the prohibited firearm to a person or firm lawfully entitled to own or possess such weapon; (2) render the prohibited firearm inoperable; or (3) voluntarily surrender the prohibited firearm pursuant to N.J.S.2C:39-12. b. If the owner of the prohibited firearm elects to render the weapon inoperable, the owner shall file a certification on a form prescribed by the superintendent indicating the date on which the weapon was rendered inoperable. This certification shall be filed with either the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the owner resides or, in the case of an owner who resides in a municipality which does not have a full-time police department, with the superintendent. c. As used in this section, "inoperable" means that the firearm is altered in such a manner that it cannot be immediately fired and that the owner or possessor of the firearm does not possess or have control over the parts necessary to make the firearm operable. d. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any antique firearm, curio or relic, or weapon solely used to fire blank ammunition for purpose of a living historical reenactment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (5) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:39-1. L.2022, c.54, s.3.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026