People who legally own firearms sometimes unintentionally break the law with them. Simple mistakes, such as bringing a gun legal in another jurisdiction into a state with unusual restrictions, can lead to firearm charges.
For those in New Jersey, the transportation of a firearm in a motor vehicle might lead to criminal charges. If police officers see a weapon in a vehicle or a driver discloses its presence during a traffic stop, they could be at risk of a weapons charge.
When are firearm owners at risk of prosecution for transporting a legal gun in their personal vehicles?
When the firearm is not secure
New Jersey generally requires that people transporting firearms take a few simple steps to comply with the law. First, they should unload the weapon. Second, they should secure it in a locked compartment, typically the trunk. Some people, such as farmers who drive pickup trucks, may have specialized lock boxes installed in their vehicles due to the lack of a standard locking trunk.
Drivers generally should not have firearms loaded and within arm’s reach. The only time it is lawful to have the firearm in the cab of the vehicle is when the owner of the firearm has a concealed carry permit. Without the right state paperwork, even driving the firearm to a shooting range could potentially lead to criminal prosecution.
Anyone accused of a weapons offense may need help understanding the law and the penalties they could face, as well as planning a response when the case goes to trial. Working with a criminal defense attorney can help those accused of weapons offenses plan an appropriate defense strategy accordingly.