Handgun Ammunition and Reloading in NJ

[ThatGuyHank]

So I was looking through New Jersey state law regarding firearms, ammunition and so on. I know that I cannot purchase Handgun Ammunition because I am not 21 (Federal and State law) but neither the Federal or State law mentions anything on possession.

Also, in NJ reloading and its components are unregulated (except for powder weight limits). So since I can not buy factory ammunition, could I reload handgun rounds for use in legally purchased and owned pistol calibre long guns? I can't find anything contrary but I am also not the most well versed in legal speak.

Any help would be greatly appreciated (I also asked a few LEO's about this and none knew the answer and a few asked what reloading was so I didn't get any help there).

 

[NavyLCDR]

So I was looking through New Jersey state law regarding firearms, ammunition and so on. I know that I cannot purchase Handgun Ammunition because I am not 21 (Federal and State law) but neither the Federal or State law mentions anything on possession.

Also, in NJ reloading and its components are unregulated (except for powder weight limits). So since I can not buy factory ammunition, could I reload handgun rounds for use in legally purchased and owned pistol calibre long guns?

Federal law does not prohibit you from purchasing ammunition intended for use in pistol caliber long guns. Federal law only prohibits those under 21 from purchasing ammunition intended for use in an actual handgun, and then only prohibited from doing so from a licensed dealer.

Here is your New Jersey statute. It does not prohibit you from purchasing ammunition for use in a long gun either:

2C:58-3.3. "Handgun ammunition" defined; sale, purchase, etc., regulated; violation, fourth degree crime
a. As used in this act, "handgun ammunition" means ammunition specifically designed to be used only in a handgun. "Handgun ammunition" shall not include blank ammunition, air gun pellets, flare gun ammunition, nail gun ammunition, paint ball ammunition, or any non-fixed ammunition.
b. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of, or receive, purchase, or otherwise acquire handgun ammunition unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver or holder is licensed as a manufacturer, wholesaler, or dealer under this chapter or is the holder of and possesses a valid firearms purchaser identification card, a valid copy of a permit to purchase a handgun, or a valid permit to carry a handgun and first exhibits such card or permit to the seller, donor, transferor or assignor.
c. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of handgun ammunition to a person who is under 21 years of age.

Since you have a long gun that shoots the caliber you are looking for, than that particular ammo cannot be specifically designed to be used only in a handgun, can it?

 

[ThatGuyHank]

Since you have a long gun that shoots the caliber you are looking for, than that particular ammo cannot be specifically designed to be used only in a handgun, can it?

This is the truth, however, that doesn't work on overzealous gun counter employees and shop owners that don't want the government coming in and shutting them down. If the ammunition was originally designed for use in a handgun and was then adapted to a long gun it is still "Handgun Ammunition" (according to many including a few LEOs) To me, ammo is ammo, handguns can shoot rifle rounds and vice versa, I just wanted to know if I could reload the handgun ammo so I don't have to run the risk of illegally purchasing "handgun ammunition".

 

[Bovice]

I have not heard of any legislation anywhere that puts any restriction on reloading for personal use. Don't go around advertising your "shortcut" though, or else somebody will shut it down.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The law says lots of things, but that does not mean it is right.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I don't see anything in New Jersey statutes that would prohibit you from reloading. Here's a start:

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-5-2011/atf-p-5300-5-new-jersey-2011.pdf

 

[medalguy]

I'm a believer in the fact that laws should tell us what we CANNOT do. They should not tell us what we CAN do. Absent any verbage stating that you CANNOT so something, feel free to do so.

 

[ThatGuyHank]

So then I can do it. Cool, now I can go buy that Sub2000 I've been drooling over. No fear of being unable to feed it well.