# N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4: Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-4

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4
- **Heading:** Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2C / Chapter 39 / Section 39-4

## Text

2C:39-4. Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes. a. Firearms. (1) Any person who has in his possession any firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. (2) Any person who possesses, receives or transfers a community gun is guilty of a crime of the second degree and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term. The minimum term shall be fixed at one-half of the sentence imposed by the court or three years, whichever is greater and during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. As used in this paragraph, "community gun" means a firearm that is transferred among, between or within any association of two or more persons who, while possessing that firearm, engage in criminal activity or use it unlawfully against the person or property of another. b. Explosives. Any person who has in his possession or carries any explosive substance with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. c. Destructive devices. Any person who has in his possession any destructive device with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree. d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the third degree. e. Imitation firearms. Any person who has in his possession an imitation firearm under circumstances that would lead an observer to reasonably believe that it is possessed for an unlawful purpose is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Amended 1979, c.179, s.3; 1989, c.120, s.2; 2007, c.24.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-1 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-2 Presumptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-3 Prohibited weapons and devices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4 Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-4.1 Weapons; controlled dangerous substances and other offenses, penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-4.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-5 Unlawful possession of weapons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-6 Exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-7 Certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-8 Reckless discharge of firearms offense; definitions; violations, convictions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9 Manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons and dangerous instruments and appliances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9.1 Sale of knives to minors; crime of the fourth degree; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-9.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-9.2 Sale of handcuffs to minors, prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-9.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-10 Violation of the regulatory provisions relating to firearms; false representation in applications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-11 Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2C_C39_S39-4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.