New Jersey prohibits the knowing possession of 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.¹ This prohibition applies irrespective of whether the possessor has a valid permit to carry the firearm or a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.²

The state also prohibits any person from knowingly possessing specified weapons³ or any components which can readily be assembled into a firearm “under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for…lawful use” 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.⁴

In addition, New Jersey prohibits the knowing possession of 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.⁵

Any pupil convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm or a crime while armed with a firearm, or found knowingly in possession of a firearm on any school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function, shall be immediately removed from the school’s regular education program pending a hearing before the local board of education to remove the pupil from the regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year.⁶ This is subject to modification on a case-by-case basis by the chief school administrator. Any pupil removed from the regular education program shall be placed in an alternative education program. If placement in an alternative education program is not available, the pupil shall be provided home instruction or other suitable facilities and programs until alternative placement is available.⁷

Finally, no person shall, for the purpose of hunting, taking or killing any wildlife, have in his or her possession a loaded firearm while within 450 feet of any school playground.⁸

State regulations provide that a district board of education shall immediately remove any student from school for a period of not less than one calendar year if the student has been:

• Convicted or adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm on any school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function;
• Convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a crime while in possession of a firearm on school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function; or
• Found knowingly in possession of a firearm on any school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function.⁹

Exceptions to these punitive measures include firearms that are lawfully stored in a locked vehicle on school grounds, or guns used for activities approved and authorized by the district board of education, so long as the district board of education adopts appropriate safeguards to ensure student safety.¹⁰

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1. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-5e(1).[↩]
2. Id.[↩]
3. Stun guns and any weapon or device that 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, per N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-1r(4).[↩]
4. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-5e(2).[↩]
5. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-5e(3).[↩]
6. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:37-8.[↩]
7. Id.[↩]
8. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 23:4-16d.[↩]
9. N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:16-5.5(a), (b).[↩]
10. N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:16-5.5(j).[↩]