Penalties for Gun Crimes in New Jersey | What to Know

As you may know, the state of New Jersey has extremely strict gun laws in place, and the state seeks to harshly penalize anyone accused of violating those laws. Unfortunately, because the gun laws here are so stringent, it’s not hard to break one of them unknowingly, and often those charged with gun crimes face many very serious penalties. No matter your circumstances, if you are currently accused of violating New Jersey’s gun laws, you need our seasoned Hackensack criminal law attorneys on your side. Here are some of the questions you may have about gun crimes in New Jersey:

What are some of the most common charges involving gun crimes in NJ?

There are various ways in which a person can violate the firearm laws in New Jersey. Some of the most common violations of gun laws in NJ are as follows:

  • Possession of a firearm without a valid New Jersey gun permit
  • Transporting out-of-state weapons into New Jersey
  • Possession of an assault rifle or sawed-off shotgun
  • Possession of a stolen or unregistered firearm
  • Unlawful concealed or open carry of a firearm

What happens if I am found guilty of a gun crime in New Jersey?

If you are convicted of any sort of gun crime, you can expect to face several potential penalties, including high fines, a period of incarceration, and a revocation of your right to own a firearm, to name a few. For example, if someone is found to be in the illegal possession of a handgun, they can face anywhere between five and 10 years of incarceration and a hefty fine. Unlawful possession of a rifle or shotgun can warrant between three and five years of incarceration, as well as a high fine.

In some cases, those accused of gun crimes may even face upgraded charges. For example, if you were arrested for an act of simple assault but used a firearm during the commission of the crime, you may face an upgraded charge of aggravated assault. Rather obviously, upgraded charges typically come with harsher penalties. Among those penalties is being subjected to the No Early Release Act, which means that you are required to serve at least 85% of your jail/prison sentence before you are even considered for parole.

No matter the charges you face, if you’re accused of committing a crime involving a firearm, our firm is here to help.

Contact our experienced New Jersey firm

We understand how confusing certain legal issues can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing individuals with the compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation they deserve. Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman has helped clients with various difficult legal challenges for over 40 years. We know we have the experience needed to do the same for you. For experienced legal counsel regarding family law, litigation, business law, real estate, and criminal law, you know where to turn–contact Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman today to schedule a consultation.