[Vladimir Berkov]

I have to take a cross-country driving trip which ends in NJ, and I am pretty much cool to possess a firearm in every other state I go through but I am totally clueless about NJ. Mind you, I am not talking about carrying, I know that is out of the question.

But what are the rules for non-NJ residents and firearms? Can they even possess a firearm within NJ state lines? And if so, what types and can they be carried around in a car provided they are unloaded and securely locked in a box?

[sonny]

ou-oh!

[Justin]

The short story?

NJ sucks. Big Time.

However, even NJ has to bend to the will of the feds, which means you're covered by the Firearms Owner Protection Act. Basically, if it's locked up, unloaded, and in the trunk you're probably ok.
But don't dally. Drive straight through Jersey to your destination.

More info:
http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/new+jersey

[Gray Peterson]

You folks didn't read.

His end destination IS Jersey.

You're SOL. You cannot carry in any places even in between, unless you have permits for that location. You might have to rent a safe deposit box in Pennsylvania, if you can, and then travel to Jersey.

[TarpleyG]

No, I think Justin is correct. There is no reason why the gun cannot be transported directly to your destination then removed from the vehicle. Others do it all the time. I don't know the specifics of the FOPA, but if someone can post a link to it, my suggestion would be to print it out and carry it on your trip just in case.

edit. Found something

Permits the interstate transportation of unloaded firearms by any person not prohibited by Federal law from such transportation regardless of any State law or regulation.
Link (http://www.uh.edu/~dbarclay/rm/mcclure.htm)

GT

[Vladimir Berkov]

I understand the FOPA, but once I reach my destination (NJ) I will not be covered. I know that NJ has pistol and also longarm registration, I believe. As a non-resident, I obviously don't have the firearm registered. So is there some sort of excemption for NJ non-residents to possess a firearm in the state?

My guess is no.

[geekWithA.45]

Vlad:

These are the main NJ gun laws:

If so, that is your "http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=509326&Depth=2&depth=2&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&record={16AC}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42


and


http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=509326&Depth=2&depth=2&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&record={1824}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42



Long story short, all firearms are summarilly banned in NJ unless you (and the burden of proof is on YOU) can prove an exemption exists in your case

You'll have to scour the list to find or manufacture the exemption. You may have to go shooting at a range everyday, I dunno.

BTW, hotel rooms are generally considered to be your residence, and you're allowed to have your firearm in your residence.

Additionally, out of staters can bring in firearms for shooting matches, etc, we had plenty of those folks over just yesterday for a match.

DO NOT under any circumstances take a NJ defined "assault weapon" into the state.

DO NOT take hollow points into the state. (Technically, you can have them in your domicile, but you're already on thin ice)


My advice: Pack carefully, in non descript toolboxes or luggage without any firearms related logos. (Can you say "No probable cause?") and repeat the phrase "I object, you may not search my trunk" as many times as needed. Oh, yeah, and see if you can figure out how to obey the law. Also, see
http://www.evanNappen.com (he literally wrote the layman's book for NJ, I think you can order it from Amazon,) and
NJCSD.org (http://www.njcsd.org), which is a gratuitous plug for a bunch of folks trying to de-suckify the state.

[TarpleyG]

NJ should die along with Kalifornia and Illannoy!

GT

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

geekwitha45, that's a little too harsh.

I am not, and have never been, a lawyer, but:

* You can bring your guns into PRNJ, as long as they're not something that's prohibited by law (like if it's black or has a full-capacity mag.) You just can't buy 'em here without the discretionary-issue FID. :barf:

* You are allowed to keep guns in your "dwelling," which can include a temporary residence. However, don't schlep 'em around in your trunk all the time, unless you dwell in an RV. There is a law saying that you must be going directly to or from a place to shoot to transport 'em.

How long are you going to be incarcerated here?

- pdmoderator

[geekWithA.45]

pdmoderator: Which part was too harsh?

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

gwa45:

Long story short, all firearms are summarilly banned in NJ unless you (and the burden of proof is on YOU) can prove an exemption exists in your caseThe ban's on transfer, not posession.

- pdmoderator

[Ian Sean]

Moved to Pa. from NJ, best thing I ever did.

Transport guns and ammo seperately, been pulled over with several guns in back seat in cases and ammo in the trunk (tail light out), it was no problem.

The key to your problem is you will have OUT OF STATE plates which may be trouble depending on which Barney Fife you get and if he has an axe to grind. I hate to tell you to leave the gun home but if you can have some verification of ownership with you and have it stored as described, ammo seperate, throw on a trigger lock or lockable gun case for good luck you should be fine.

PD, exit 8A is near what? Is that the Bordentown exit? I can't remember, I grew up in Browns Mills (next to Ft. Dix).

[Dain Bramage]

Hooowee!

They also get pretty steamed if you try and shoot that elephant in Margate. :D

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

8A is near Hightstown, but I'm nearer to Prisstown (the Least Patriotic Town in PRNJ.)

- pdmoderator.

[AnklePocket]

I don't know what everyone's talking about. New Jersey's awesome. You can move away, but the problems still exist. The people of New Jersey are as exceptional as the people of Texas. The difference is the leadership. People have to step up and provide a new kind of leadership and, guess what: They are, one at a time.

[Sam Adams]

NJ's problems exist because NJ's voters are a bunch of knee-jerk anti-gunners. I know, because I lived there for 39 years. I also recently moved to TX, so I know the difference. Yeah, people are nice in NJ, too (but you generally have to dig a bit deeper to get to the nice part, owing to the overcrowding and the NYC/Philly attitudes), but that doesn't help them when it comes to guns. Mention guns, and if you don't get the "This guy just got out of a mental institution" look, then you'll get the inevitable question of "What do you need a GUUUUUNNNN for, anyway?"

Sorry, Texans are better. When you say that you own a gun, a great number of Texans will reply "Only one? You ain't some kind'a liberal, are you?"

Yes, really.

Here, unlike NJ, I can own anything I want, I can carry legally, and I can even go to a gun show every month only 10 miles from my home. Try that in NJ. One thing that particularly galled me was the NJ prohibition (still in existence) on possession of spring-loaded, stamped metal boxes that are considered "too large." Mr. Berkov and others visiting or passing through NJ should be VERY careful about possessing mags in excess of 15 rounds capacity, unless they like facing the prospect of 5 years as a guest in the Rahway home for wayward gun owners.

Ankle, I miss lots of things about NJ, but not its overcrowding, its sky-high taxes (we have NO income tax down here) and, most especially, its gun laws.

Again, the fault belongs in the laps of NJ voters - they put in the Florios and the Whitmans who think that those same voters can't be trusted with the same stuff that virtually every US citizen and resident can own with no restrictions. I'm glad that I'm out.

[Ian Sean]

Sam, I feel the same, been living in Pa. going on 2 years now. I do miss home, but heck the negatives outweighed the positives.

My counties (Burlington and later Salem) in South Jersey were rural and nice, but I just couldn't deal with it anymore. My desire for certain guns which are banned in NJ and a good place to shoot them was enough for me to pack up and leave. CCW was totally out of the question and taxes and the cost of living were to high, not to mention car insurance.

The 3 gun clubs I belonged to were heavy into "what do you need that kind of gun for" attitude or plain old elitist. Not as politically active in a positive way either. One closed due to overdevelopement in the area.

I would like to commend those that are still there, fighting the good fight for freedom but after the latest Lautenburg fiasco that went on, the state I feel is lost and I am glad I am gone. I say let the slugs have it and you good folks should leave.

[AnklePocket]

People are apathetic because they feel that they have zero control. They seem to perk up when they realize that they're wrong. We shall see, then, I guess or I'll meet ya at the Alamo.

[geekWithA.45]

pdmoderator:

I'm not sure it's too harsh. The ban/exemption mechanism is covered in Nappen II, (admitedly, I read that a long time ago, and will review it) and I dug these out of the Statutes site.

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.

b.Handguns. 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 third degree.



. 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.

[Vladimir Berkov]

So in short, don't bring any firearms into NJ if I am not willing to risk the jail time.

[geekWithA.45]

Well, bring em on in if you've got an exemption, which basically means you're going hunting or target shooting, or you leave them in your dwelling, whever that is during your stay.

Just know that things can get dicey, especially if the DA is looking to score points.


"So, you brought a firearm in on Monday, you went to a shooting match on Wednesday, and it was in your trunk the whole time...."


I wish I could give you an unambiguous green light, but it just aint there, but at the same time, it's not entirely clear that the light is "red" either.....:scrutiny: :banghead:

Sorry man.

[Sam Adams]

People are apathetic because they feel that they have zero control. They seem to perk up when they realize that they're
wrong. We shall see, then, I guess or I'll meet ya at the Alamo.


I don't know how anyone in NJ can feel that they are actually in control of their fate - except those actually in power. Take the farce with Lousyberg last October - the whole thing was like some kind of sick joke. I remember hearing some talking head on a national show mention that "the NJ Supreme Court would never let this stand - it is so plainly contrary to the stated law." I just laughed (graveyard humor, I can assure you), knowing that the NJ courts decide the case first, and only then look for some convoluted legal justification for the decision.

Oh, and we're well prepared down here if anyone decides to try to take the Alamo away from us again. There are probably more guns in Texas than in the 13 original states, combined.

[AnklePocket]

"I don't know how anyone in NJ can feel they are actually in control of their fate - except those actually in power."

Exactly Grasshopper. One must use the most potent weapon of all - the human mind.

[whoami]

Exactly Grasshopper. One must use the most potent weapon of all - the human mind.

Considering recent pollings showing that barely 3% of registered voters knew which party controled the Governorship, the Assembly, or the State Senate......rumors of grey matter in New Jersey have been greatly exaggerated....

[AnklePocket]

How you use your own mind has nothing to do with how others use theirs.
Be water my friend, be water.