Hi folks,

I hope all is well. I’m considering an Appalachian trail hike of 2000 miles.
Through the rural wherever without cell service, cell battery power, etc. in backcountry, I want to carry something. It appears that if a random person hiking through the state carries a black powder pistol like an Uberti 36 cal 1861 navy, that’s a “crime”?

To rephrase the question is there any “firearm” any law abiding person can carry through the state in passing? This includes a new production flintlock rifle.

Thank You

Short answer?  No.  NJ considers all black powder guns "firearms", and regulates their possession via the Firearms ID card, or a permit to carry a handgun.  And before you think to apply for a non-resident FID card, and carry a flintlock rifle - know that an FID only allows general possession of an UNLOADED rifle.  Possession of a LOADED rifle (outside certain narrow exceptions) is a crime in and of itself ( see 2C:39-5c(2) ).

Possession of ANY handgun, outside of specific exemptions, is also a crime unless you have a permit to carry a handgun.  You can't get one, and walking in the woods is not an approved exemption.