Not that it's applicable in NJ, but even though the 9th Circuit Court ruled in the Silvera .vs Lockyer case that there is no Constitutional right to own an "assault weapon", they also stated that Kalifornias AWB provision that allowed retired LEOs to own AW's wasn't kosher either.
This is something I'd like to see challenged in every state with an AWB that
still allows this exception... MA being one of them.
www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-131m.htm"SALE OF FIREARMS
Chapter 140: Section 131M Assault weapon or large capacity feeding device not lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994; sale, transfer or possession; punishment
Section 131M. No person shall sell, offer for sale, transfer or possess an assault weapon or a large capacity feeding device that was not otherwise lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Whoever not being licensed under the provisions of section 122 violates the provisions of this section shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and for a second offense, by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $15,000 or by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 15 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (i) the possession by a law enforcement officer for purposes of law enforcement; or (ii)
the possession by an individual who is retired from service with a law enforcement agency and is not otherwise prohibited from receiving such a weapon or feeding device from such agency upon retirement.