Can NJ resident carry loaded handgun in front or back yard?

[bushmaster1313]

A New Jersey resident otherwise in compliance with the law can possess a handgun, even a loaded handgun, at his residence with out a carry permit. Does that include in his front or back yard?

Same question for a loaded long gun.

 

[Tom488]

Yes to both.

2C:39-6e states:

"Nothing in subsections b., c. and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent a person keeping or carrying about his place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed by him, any firearm"

 

[bushmaster1313]

Excellent answer!

 

[jja327]

Of course if you are seen mowing the lawn with a loaded AR-15 you will be arrested. It will be then up to you to prove to the judge you were within the law. Keep it concealed if you feel like exercising your rights. Anything else may be considered brandshing. Jersey gun laws are bass akward - you are guilty until proven innocent.

 

[kingpin008]

Bushmaster - keep in mind while it may be technically legal, you may be arrested anyway on charges of creating a public disturbance, inciting panic, or similar. Every area is different when it comes to those types of charges, but in NJ, it's worth looking into before you take decide to partake in any (otherwise legal) gun-toting around your property.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Of course if you are seen mowing the lawn with a loaded AR-15 you will be arrested. It will be then up to you to prove to the judge you were within the law. Keep it concealed if you feel like exercising your rights.

How do you conceal a AR-15?

 

[cl4de6]

If you are on your own property in New Jersey, you can do what you wish, open or concealed. But if you are doing it openly, consider the situation carefully. There is a big difference between taking your shotgun out to the car for a range trip and being "that guy" who walks around his property with a handgun.

I don't know your situation. If you live in a rural community in Cumberland County, you probably won't have a problem. If you live in Princeton I would heed what kingpin008 said.

When I get back from the skeet range, my friends and I usually smoke cigars, have a few beers, and clean our shotguns on my back patio. I have a fence, and neighbors on three sides, but it's not a tall fence. So call it semi-private. My neighbors know I shoot skeet and I've even taken a few of them with me sometimes. I've never had a problem. But we're not doing anything unsafe or threatening, just a bunch of middle aged guys wearing polo shirts cleaning wooden O/U shotguns and laughing about the day.

But I would not clean my shotguns on my front porch. It would just draw the wrong kind of attention. Is it sad that I have to be fearful on my own property? Yes. Am I being neighborly by cleaning my shotguns on the back porch or indoors? Yes.

My neighbors respect my right to own guns and respect their desire not to have them overtly paraded in front of them.

You know you situation better than me. Just be smart about it and you will be fine.

 

[bushmaster1313]

This post was motivated by my desire to photgraph my unloaded handgun on the back porch or in the back yard.

Got me thinking as to whether it was allowed by New Jersey law and the extent of what I am allowed to do on my own property. No plans to be on parade in either the front or the back yard.

 

[Art Eatman]

Question answered...