Warning - Firearm Carriers - Avoid New Jersey

John Burke wrote:
This from the NJ Attorney Generals office website.
Not a big deal to do it, if you follow the rules.

Office of The Attorney General



Transporting a Firearm Into / Through the State of New Jersey

All firearms transported into the State of New Jersey:

•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 such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances.


•The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console.


For additional exemptions refer to Chapter 39, namely 2C:39-6g.

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All firearms transported through the State of New Jersey:

The following guidelines are provided in order to assist law enforcement officers in applying New Jersey's firearms laws to persons who are transporting firearms through the State of New Jersey.
I. New Jersey laws governing firearms permits, purchaser identification cards, registration and licenses do not apply to a person who is transporting the firearm through this State if that person is transporting the firearm in a manner permitted by federal law, 18 U.S.C.A. 926A.
II. This federal law permitting interstate transportation of a firearm applies only if all of the following requirements are met:
A.The person's possession of the firearm was lawful in the state in which the journey began;
B.The person's possession of the firearm will be lawful in the state in which the journey will end;
C.The person is transporting the firearm for lawful purpose
D.The firearm is unloaded
E.The firearm is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
F.The ammunition is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
G.If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console;
H.The person is not
1.a convicted felon
2.a fugitive from justice an addict or unlawful user of drugs, or
3.an illegal alien
I.The person has not
1.been adjudicated to be a mental defective
2.been committed to a mental institution
3.been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, or
4.renounced his United States Citizenship
III.A person who is transporting a firearm though the State of New Jersey in the manner permitted by person's possession 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, see Section II above, need not give notice.
IV.Procedures for Investigation of Conduct Involving the Possession or Transportation of Firearms
A.An officer who reasonably suspects that a person is transporting a firearm in violation of New Jersey law should make reasonable inquiries in order to confirm or dispel that suspicion.
B.In a case where circumstances reasonably indicate that the person's possession and transportation of the firearms my be permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, the officer should make reasonable inquiries in order to determine whether the person's possession is permitted by that federal law.
C.If reasonable inquiries lead an officer to conclude that the person's possession is lawful under either New Jersey law or 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, the officer should promptly allow the person to proceed.
D.Whenever an officer has probable cause to believe that a person's possession of a firearm is in violation of New Jersey law and not permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, then the officer should make an arrest.
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What may not be entirely clear for those outsiders reading this and may be needing guidance, please understand the interpretation by LEOs in this state is as follows with regard to ammunition - it must also be locked away completely separate from the firearm. Even if your pistol is locked in a case in the trunk where you cannot get it, it must be unloaded and the ammunition must be completely separate from it. So, no dropping the mag, clearing the chamber, and leaving the loaded magazine in the gun case. That will get you on the long side of things should you be stopped.

For example, those of us with pickup trucks always wonder the best way to go, but we also cannot just drive around all day with our legally owned firearms either - point A to B and B better be a range except when A was the FFL you purchased from so B is home. Some reasonable deviation allowed (see the law), but frowned upon. So, anyway, heading to the range for me means the firearms are in the bed of my pickup (I have a cover) in their locked transport case and that's cable locked to the factory cargo tie-down. Ammo is kept in surplus military ammo cans that have been fitted with lock kits... Sound like fun?