New Jersey Assault Firearms Lawyers

The New Jersey Criminal Code lists the following as assault firearms that are prohibited / illegal to posses - even in one’s home:

BANNED IN NEW JERSEY

Under N.J.S.A. § 13:54-1.2, all of the following guns and firearms are considered assault weapons in New Jersey:  

• Algimec AGM1 Type 

• Armalite AR-180 Type 

• Australian Automatic Arms SAR 

• Avtomat Kalashnikov Type Semi-Automatic Weapons (AK-47)

• Beretta AR-70, BM59 Semi-Automatic Guns 

• Bushmaster Assault Rifle 

• Calico M-900 Assault Carbine M-900 

• CETME G3 

• Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88 Type 

• Colt AR-15 and CAR-15 Series 

• Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100 Types 

• Demro TAC-1 Carbine Type 

• Encom MP-9, MP-45 Carbine Types 

• FAMAS MAS223 Types 

• FN-FAL, FN-LAR, FN-FNC Type Semi-Automatic Firearms 

• Franchi SPAS 12, LAW 12 Shotguns 

• G3SA Type 

• Galil Type 

• Heckler and Koch HK91, HK93, HK94, MP5, PSG-1 

• Intratec TEC 9, 22 Semi-Automatic Firearms 

• M1 Carbine Type 

• M14S Type 

• MAC 10, MAC 11, MAC 11-9 mm Carbine Type Firearms 

• PJK M-68 Carbine Type 

• Plainfield Machine Company Carbine 

• Ruger K-Mini-14/5, Mini-14/5 

• SIG AMT, SIG 550SP, SIG 551SP, SIG PE-57 Types 

• SKS, Detachable Magazine Type 

• Spectre Auto Carbine Type 

• Springfield Armory BM59, SAR-48 Type 

• Sterling MK-6, MK-7, SAR types 

• Steyr A.U.G. Semi-Automatic Firearms 

• USAS 12 Semi-Automatic Type Shotgun 

• Uzi Type Semi-Automatic Firearms 

• Valmet M62, M71S, M76, M78 Type Semi-Automatic Weapons 

• Weaver Arms Nighthawk 

• Any shotgun that has a revolving cylinder (e.g. Street Sweeper, Striker 12)  

Substantially Identical Firearms BAN

The above list is not exhaustive. Like the rest of New Jersey’s gun laws, the assault firearms laws are equally confusing and largely subjective. It is not uncommon in an assault firearm case for there to be a dispute amongst “gun experts” as to whether a particular firearm falls under the law. The law provides for law enforcement to subjectively decide if a firearm is “substantially identical” to one of the above listed firearms and/or if it meets the below listed criteria:

A. semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of the following:

1. a folding or telescoping stock;

2. a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;

3. a bayonet mount;

4. a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and

5. a grenade launcher

   B. a semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of the following:

   1. an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;

   2. a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;

   3. a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned;

   4. manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; and

   5. a semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm

      C. a semi-automatic shotgun that has at least 2 of the following:

      1. a folding or telescoping stock;

      2. a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;

      3. a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 5 rounds; and

      4. an ability to accept a detachable magazine.

   The sentences for possession of an assault firearm can be extreme. It is often possible that the sentence for mere possession of a firearm or assault firearm may be greater than the underlying crime in which the firearm was used. If you or a family member is charged with possessing an assault firearm, contact our office today for a free consultation.