N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5f, prohibiting knowing possession
of an assault firearm, was intended to proscribe knowing
possession, as distinguished from knowledge of illegal
character of, article possessed. State v. Pelleteri, 294 N.J.
Super. 330 (App. Div. 1996), certif. denied, 148 N.J. 461
(1997). Possession of the weapon, even if it is actually
inoperable, is illegal if the proper registration form has
not been filed. State v. Elrose, 277 N.J. Super. 548 (App.
Div. 1994).
VI. EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSE, PERMIT
AND IDENTIFICATION CARD REQUIRE-
MENTS (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6)
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 exempts specified individuals from
all or part of the license, permit and firearms purchaser
identification card requirements of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5.
These exemptions are to be narrowly construed. State v.
Rovito, 99 N.J. 581 (1985).
For example, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6a(7) exempts state,
county and municipal police from all the license, permit,
and firearms purchaser identification card requirements
of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. Special police, airport security
officers and boulevard police are likewise exempted, but
only “while engaged in the actual performance of...
official duties and when specifically authorized by the
governing body to carry weapons.” See Belmar Policemen’s
Benev. Ass’n v. Belmar, 89 N.J. 225 (1982); New Jersey
State Special Police Ass’n v. Atty. Gen., 201 N.J. Super. 75
(App. Div. 1985); In re Rawls, 197 N.J. Super. 78 (Law
Div. 1984); PBA Local 278, etc., Campus Police v.
Degnan, 175 N.J. Super. 102 (Ch. Div. 1980).
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6e exempts persons who carry
handguns, rifles or shotguns in their residence or place of
business from the permit and firearms purchaser
identification card requirements of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b
and c. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6e also allows an individual to
transport a firearm from his residence of business to a
place where firearms are repaired.
VII. PERSONS PROHIBITED FROM HAVING
WEAPONS (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7)
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7 prohibits persons convicted of
certain crimes and persons committed to a hospital for a
mental disorder from possessing any weapon. The
constitutionality of this statute has been upheld in State
v. Jones, 198 N.J. Super. 533 (App. Div. 1985).
After amendment in 1987, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7 (West
Supp. 1988) provides that any person who has been
convicted of the unlawful use, possession or sale of a
controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.A.
2C:35-2 is prohibited from possessing a weapon. If the
drug charge results in a conviction for only disorderly
persons or petty disorderly persons offense, however, the
prohibition does not apply. See In re Sbitani, 216 N.J.
Super. 75 (App. Div. 1987) (prior to amendment, even
disorderly persons conviction for drug charges triggered
the prohibitions of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7).For cases discussing proof of prior conviction
requisite to sustain a conviction of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7, see
State v. (E.L.) v. G.P.N., 321 N.J. Super. 172 (App. Div.
1999); State v. Harvey, 318 N.J. Super. 167 (App. Div.
1999); State v. Alvarez, 318 N.J. Super. 137 (App. Div.
1999); State v. Wright, 155 N.J. Super. 549 (App. Div.
1978); In re Clark, 257 N.J. Super. 152 (Law Div. 1992);
State v. Kaniper, 180 N.J. Super. 573 (Law Div. 1981).When defendant is charged with N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7
and another offense simultaneously, the charges must be
severed in order to avoid jury prejudice arising out of
evidence that defendant is a convicted felon. See State v.
Ragland, 105 N.J. 189 (1986); State v. Ingenito, 87 N.J.
204 (1981); State v. Alvarez, 318 N.J. Super. 137 (App.
Div. 1999); State v. Harvey, 318 N.J. Super. 167 (App.
Div. 1999); State v. Williams, 167 N.J. Super. 57 (App.
Div. 1979); State v. Middletown, 143 N.J. Super. 98
(App. Div. 1976), certif. denied, 71 N.J. 531 (1976), aff’d
o.b., 75 N.J. 47 (1977); State v. Smith, 137 N.J. Super. 89
(Law Div. 1975).VIII. MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORT, DISPO-
SITION AND DEFACEMENT OF WEAPONS,
DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS AND APPLI-
ANCES (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9)
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9a through d prohibit the
manufacture, transport, sale, or disposition of certain
firearms and firearm silencers, unless an individual is
licensed or registered to do so under chapter 58 of the
Code. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9d prohibits the manufacture,
transportation, sale or disposition of other weapons
including certain knives and tear gas devices. See State v.
Rovito, 99 N.J. 581 (1985) (criminal liability should be
imposed for “knowing” conduct as defined in N.J.S.A.
2C:2-2b(2), and N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9d applies to private
individuals and commercial dealers alike). N.J.S.A.
2C:39-9e prohibits defacement of firearms and the
purchase, receipt, disposition or concealment of same.