New Jersey provides that “[a] person who knows or reasonably should know that a minor [under 16 years of age]¹ is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the person’s control” is criminally liable for a misdemeanor if a minor gains access to a firearm, unless the person:

• Stores the firearm in a securely locked box or container;
• Stores the firearm in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or
• Secures the firearm with a trigger lock.²

This section does not apply to activities concerning the lawful use of a firearm by a minor (see the section entitled Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess in New Jersey), or where a minor obtained a firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person.³

New Jersey requires firearm dealers to give all firearm transferees the following written warning, printed in block letters not less than one-fourth of an inch in height: “IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND IMPRISONMENT, FOR AN ADULT TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”⁴ Dealers also must post a truncated version of this warning “conspicuously” at each purchase counter, printed in block letters not less than one inch in height.⁵

New Jersey imposes harsh penalties, including a mandatory minimum prison term of three years without parole, on any person who knowingly sells, gives, transfers, assigns or otherwise disposes of a firearm to a person under age 18.⁶

New Jersey has no law that requires unattended firearms to be stored in a certain way.

In New Jersey, retail firearms dealers must include a trigger lock or a locked case, gun box, container or other secure facility with every handgun sold, unless the handgun is on the state list of approved personalized handguns.⁷ For further information about personalized handguns, see the section entitled Personalized & Owner-Authorized Firearms in New Jersey.

New Jersey has established the “KeepSafe” program, which provides that any person who purchases a firearm from a retail dealer is eligible for a five dollar instant rebate on the purchase of a trigger locking device compatible with the firearm purchased.⁸ In addition, the New Jersey State Police shall provide licensed retail firearms dealers with a sign “to be prominently displayed at a conspicuous place on the dealer’s business premises” which will state “substantially” the following:

“KEEP NEW JERSEY FIREARMS SAFE. TO ENCOURAGE NEW JERSEY GUN OWNERS TO STORE THEIR FIREARMS SAFELY, THE STATE IS OFFERING A $5 INSTANT REBATE WHEN YOU PURCHASE A COMPATIBLE TRIGGER LOCK ALONG WITH YOUR FIREARM. REMEMBER–THE USE OF A TRIGGER LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STORAGE. FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED, UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN. NEW JERSEY’S FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS–KEEP THEM SAFE!!”⁹

New Jersey does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

Contact

1. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-15c.[↩]
2. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-15a.[↩]
3. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-15b.[↩]
4. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-16a.[↩]
5. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-16b.[↩]
6. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-10e.[↩]
7. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-2a(5)(d), (e).[↩]
8. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-17a, 17b.[↩]
9. Id.[↩]