Hey guys, I was hoping that folks here could help educate me with regard to possession of ammunition in NJ and maybe even point me to relevant statutes. I am particularly interested in knowing whether or when HP/JHP is legal or illegal to possess. Whether it's illegal to posses or only when possessed during a commission of a crime.

Thanks guys.

It is only legal to possess HP ammo inside your home, on the range, or going DIRECTLY from your home to range and back.  Other than that, its illegal.  I think just having ammo in your car when not on the way to the range is illegal in general, regardless of ammo type.

Correct.  As with possession of handguns, possession of hollow-points is GENERALLY PROHIBITED, and only legal by exemption.  The specific statute:



So - that's our base line...  possession of hollow nose bullets is illegal.  If you are engaged in activities pursuant to 2C:39-6f (going to/from a range, to/from a place of hunting, or actually engaged in hunting), then possession is legal.

There is also a specific exemption in 2C:39-3g, stating:



So - what does all this mean?  It means...  legal to purchase, and transport directly to your home.  Legal to possess in your home.  Legal to transport directly to/from a range.  Legal to transport directly to/from a place of hunting.  NOT legal to leave in your car while you go shopping.

I have no idea where the myth of, "it's only illegal during the commission of a crime" or, "it's just an add-on charge to another crime" came from.  Clearly, from reading the statutes above, it's a stand-alone offense.  Note, also - that the crime specifies "bullets" - not "ammunition".  That means even a keychain made with an HP projectile (no power, no primer...  not loaded ammo) is illegal.

Cone256 - it is not illegal to possess non-HP ammo anywhere.  Driving around with a box of FMJ's in your trunk is perfectly fine.  The only statute on possession of ammunition is the above, relating only to hollow-point ammunition.

So for example, if a hiker who CCWd in PA mailed his piece home before crossing into NJ but did not mail his JHP home, the possession of the ammunition would not be legal as I understand the law.

Unless you can prove you're hunting or hiking to a range

ETA:  Our state sucks.  We know

Thanks guys for your help and Tom488 thanks for putting me into the statute.