New Jersey

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New Jersey

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to New Jersey. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial period through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, manufacturing, maritime, and law-enforcement records, and oral histories tied to New Jersey people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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1797 N.J. Laws 219-20
(1797)
Required the assessor of each town to compare the list of 18-to-45-year-olds in the community to the list of persons enrolled for military duty, and to ensure that everyone 18 and older who was not exempted was keeping the proper arms and fulfilling his militia duties.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 307 (1980)
(1755)
Set the minimum age at twenty-one for enlistment for out-of-colony service without consent of a parent, guardian, or master.
1792 N.J. Laws 850
(1792)
Raised the minimum age to 18, and lowered the maximum age to 45. Further, "every non-commissioned Officer and Private of the Infantry (including Grenadiers, Light Infantry and Artillery) until supplied with Ordinance and Field Artillery, shall have a good Musket or Firelock, a sufficient Bayonet and Belt, two spare Flints and a Knapsack, a Pouch with a Box not less than twenty-four Cartridges suited to the Bore of his Musket or Firelock, each Cartridge containing a proper Quantity of Powder and Ball; or with a good Rifle, Knapsack, Pouch and Powder-Horn, twenty Balls suited to the Bore of his Rifle, and a Quarter of a Pound of Powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into Service.
1776-77 N.J. Laws 26
(1777)
[A]ll able-bodied Men, not being Slaves … between the Ages of sixteen and fifty Years … and [] capable of bearing Arms" constituted the militia.
1780 N.J. Laws 42-43
(1780)
And Be It Enacted, That the Captain or Commanding Officer of each Company shall keep a true and perfect List or Roll of all effective Men between the Ages of sixteen and fifty Years, residing within the District of such Company ... And Be It Enacted, That every Person enrolled as aforesaid shall constantly keep himself furnished with a good Musket, well fitted with a Bayonet, a Worm, a Cartridge-Box, twenty-three Rounds of Cartridges sized to his Musket, a Priming Wire, Brush, six Flints, a Knapsack and Canteen, under the Forfeiture of Seven Shillings and Sixpence for Want of a Musket, and One Shilling for Want of any other of the aforesaid Articles, whenever called out to Training or Service ... Provided always, That if any Person be furnished as aforesaid with a good Rifle-Gun, the Apparatus necessary for the same, and a Tomahawk, it shall be accepted in Lieu of the Musket and the Bayonet and other Articles belonging thereto. Further required that "each Person enrolled…also keep at his Place of Abode one Pound of good merchantable Gunpowder and three Pounds of Ball sized to his Musket or Rifle
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 502 (1980)
(1757)
Kept the age for militia between the Age of Sixteen and Fifty Years.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 385, 425 (1980)
(1756)
Set the minimum age at twenty-one for enlistment for out-of-colony service without consent of a parent, guardian, or master.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 15 (1980)
(1746)
Sought to raise 500 troops for a state army expedition against Canada. This act also made it unlawful for an officer "to inlist any young Men under the Age of Twenty One Years, or any Slaves who are so for Term of Life, bought Servants, or Apprentices, without the Express Leave in Writing of their Parents or Guardians, Masters or Mistresses."
1799 N.J. Laws 609
(1799)
Eliminated non-whites from the militia. Persons who were granted militia exemptions (e.g., physicians, clergy) had to pay a three-dollar annual fee. In case the militia were "called into actual service," exempted persons too would be liable to serve.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 5 (1980); see also 1753 N.J. Laws ch. 257; 1766 N.J. Laws ch. 422; 1770 N.J. Laws ch. 520; 1771 N.J. Laws ch. 539
(1746)
Each militiaman between the Age of Sixteen and Fifty Years" must "be sufficiently armed with one good sufficient Musket or Fuzee well fixed, a Sword or Bayonet, a Cartouch-Box or Powder-Horn," plus bullets and powder.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 5 (1980)
(1746)
Required most men aged 16 to 50 to enroll in the colonial militia, provide their own weapons and ammunition, attend regular training musters, and obey military officers. Violators faced fines and, if unpaid, up to three days' imprisonment.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 502-11 (1980)
(1757)
Required most men aged 16 to 50 to enroll in the colony's militia, maintain specified arms and ammunition, and attend three annual training musters. Absences, appearing unarmed, or failing to keep required equipment resulted in fines, enforceable through seizure and sale of property. Captains were required to inspect arms regularly. Selling alcohol to militia members during musters was prohibited and punishable by fine. During invasions, rebellions, or alarms, militia members were subject to court-martial discipline for disobedience or nonappearance, though punishments could not include death or mutilation.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 425-36 (1980)
(1756)
Established a colonel to command New Jersey's frontier forces and required him to oversee discipline, training, and military readiness. He was obligated to conduct regular inspections of forts and posts, maintain at least eighty men on patrol, keep detailed records of enlistments, discharges, deaths, and military activities, and submit periodic reports to the governor and legislature. The colonel was also required to take loyalty oaths and swear to maintain accurate muster rolls and payroll records to prevent fraud and ensure proper compensation of soldiers.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 385-90 (1980)
(1756)
Authorized New Jersey to raise 250 volunteer freemen to defend the Sussex County frontier against Native American attacks. The volunteers were organized into three companies, received pay and limited protection from civil debt collection, and could be supplied with colony-owned muskets if necessary. The law prohibited enlisting minors, slaves, servants, or apprentices without permission and imposed substantial penalties on officers who violated those restrictions. It also appropriated funds for soldiers' wages, provisions, ammunition, and other military supplies, and established procedures for managing and disposing of unused stores.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 307-19 (1980)
(1755)
Authorized New Jersey to raise 500 free men and allied Native Americans for a military expedition against French encroachments. Volunteers received enlistment bonuses, military pay, and temporary protection from most civil debt collection, while safeguards prevented them from using enlistment to defraud creditors. Further, prohibited enlisting men under 21, slaves, servants, or apprentices without written permission from their parents, guardians, or masters. Justices could order their release, and officers who unlawfully enlisted or detained them faced substantial fines: £500 for minors, £100 for slaves, and £20 for servants or apprentices.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 15-20 (1980)
(1746)
Encouraged 500 freemen and allied Native Americans to enlist for a campaign against French Canada by offering a £6 bonus, temporary protection from most civil debt collection, and military pay. It prohibited enlisting minors, slaves, servants, or apprentices without permission and imposed substantial penalties for unlawful enlistment.
1911 N.J. Laws 185
(1911)
Ch. 128, 1: It shall be unlawful to use any silencer, when hunting for game or fowl, on any gun, rifle or firearm, under a penalty of twenty dollars for each offense.
1912 N.J. Laws 365
(1912)
Ch. 225, 2: A person who manufactures, or causes to be manufactured, or sells or keeps for sale, or offers, or gives, or disposes of any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a blackjack, slung-shot, billy, sandclub, sand-bag, bludgeon, or metal knuckles, to any person; or a person who offers, sells, loans, leases, or gives any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearm, or any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is spring or air, or any instrument or weapon commonly known as a toy pistol or in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges are used, or may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, to any person under the age of twenty-one years, is guilty of a misdemeanor;
2 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 49 (1980)
(1704)
"T]hat every Captain within this Province ? make a true and perfect List of all the Men ? between the Age of Sixteen and Fifty years ? Every one of which so listed shall be sufficiently armed with one good sufficient Musquet or Fuzee well fixed, a Sword or Bagonet, a Cartouch-box or Powder-horn, a pound of Powder, and twelve sizeable Bullets."
1874 N.J. Laws 137-38
(1874)
Ch. 525, 4: That no person shall at any time kill any wild duck, brant, or goose with any device or instrument known as a swivel or punt gun, or with any gun other than such guns as are habitually raised at arms [sic] length and fired from the shoulder; or shall use any net, device, instrument, or gun other than such gun as aforesaid with intent to capture or kill any such wild duck or goose, under a penalty of fifty dollars.
1777 N.J. Laws 90
(1777)
Ch. 40, 20: That the President and Council aforesaid be, and they hereby are empowered and directed to deprive and take from such Persons as they shall judge disaffected and dangerous to the present Government, all the Arms, Accoutrements and Ammunition which they own or possess; and the said President and Council are hereby authorized to pay for such Arms, Accoutrements and Ammunition, or any of them, such Sum as shall be ascertained by two or more Appraisers under Oath, which said Arms, Accoutrements and Ammunition shall be delivered, for the Use of the State, to the Commanding Officer of the Battalion in whose District such disaffected Person resides."
1907 N.J. Laws 116-17
(1907)
Ch. 62, 2: For greater certainty it is hereby specified that, in addition to the other powers hereby conferred upon said board, are the following: . . . To regulate and prohibit the use of guns, pistols, firearms and fireworks of all descriptions within the city.
Revision of the Statutes of New Jersey 263 (1877)
(1874)
An act relating to the transportation of explosive and dangerous material, 1: An act relating to the transportation of explosive and dangerous material, 1: That if any person shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to any canal, railroad, steamboat, or other transportation company, or to any persons, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of transportation, any nitroglycerine, dualin, dynamite, gunpowder, mining or blasting powder, gun-cotton, phosphorous, friction matches, or other explosive or dangerous material of any nature whatsoever, under any false or deceptive invoice or description, or without previously informing such person, firm or corporation, in writing, of the true nature of such article, and without having the box, keg, barrel, can or package containing the same plainly marked with the name of the explosive or dangerous material therein contained, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to imprisonment for thirty days, and to pay a fine of one hundred dollars, and shall be responsible for all damages to persons or property directly or indirectly resulting from the explosion of any such article. 2. That it shall and may be lawful for any officer or agent of any person, firm, or corporation, engaged in the business of transportation to require any package tendered for transportation, believed to contain explosive material, to be opened by the person delivering the same, and to refuse to receive any such package unless such requirements be complied with; and if such package be opened and found to contain such explosive or dangerous material, the said package and its contents shall be forthwith removed to any lawful place for the storing of gun-powder, and after conviction of the offender, or after three months from such removal, the said package, with its contents, shall be sold at public sale, after the expiration of ten days from notice of the time and place of such sale, published in one newspaper in the county where such seizure shall have been made; and the proceeds of such sale, after deducting therefrom the expenses of removal, storage, advertisement, and sale, shall be paid into the treasury of the said county; provided, however, that nothing in this act contained shall be construed to require common carriers to transport any such explosive or dangerous articles against their consent, nor to transport them otherwise than at such times, and under such regulations for safety to persons and property, as they may from time to time prescribe in relation thereto
Revision of the Statutes of New Jersey 232-33 (1877)
(1877)
An act for the punishment of crimes against the public peace, 31: If any person shall by word, message, letter, or any other way, challenge another to fight a duel, with a rapier, or small-sword, back-sword, pistol, or other dangerous weapon, or shall accept a challenge, although not duel be fought, or knowingly be the bearer of such challenge, or shall any way abet, prompt, encourage, persuade, seduce, or cause any person to fight a duel, or to challenge another to fight a duel, every person so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
Jersey City, N.J., Ordinances ch. 1, tit. 4, § 7 (1844)
(1843)
An Ordinance to regulate the paving and repairing, and to prevent obstructions in the streets of Jersey City: No person shall, within this city, fire or discharge any gun, pistol, cannon or fowling-piece, or other fire-arms, unless in defence of his property or person, nor let off any squibs, crackers, or other fireworks, unless by permission of the city authorities, under the penalty of five dollars for each and every offence."
Ordinances of the Borough of Asbury Park, New Jersey 6-7 (1878)
(1878)
Ordinance No. 3, 1: No person shall discharge any cannon or other piece of artillery or small arms, guns or pistols, rockets, squibs or powder crackers, within the limits of this Borough, without the permission of the President of this Board first obtained in writing
The Fundamental Constitutions for the Province of East New Jersey in America (1683)
(1683)
Art. VII: Provided the state with the authority to arm and defend its forts,, castles, cities, and other places of defense. Also regulated the possession of firearms by citizens
The Grants, Concessions, and Original Constitutions of the Province of New-Jersey 78 (1752)
(1668)
every Male from 16 Years and upwards, to the Age of 60 Years, shall be furnished at their own Cost and Charge, with good and sufficient Arms, and constantly maintain the same, viz., a good serviceable Gun well fixed, one pound of good Powder, four Pounds of Pistol Bullets, or Twenty four Bullets suited to the Gun, a Pair of Bandeleers, or a good Horn and a Sword and Belt...
Jersey City, N.J., Rev. Ordinances ch. 23, §§ 1-3 (1899)
(1871)
Concerning the Transportation, Shipment and Landing of Gunpowder: Regulated the import of gunpowder and storage thereof. Also regulated the storage of gunpowder within the city
1837 N.J. Laws 373
(1837)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Trenton, 24: That it shall and may be lawful for the common council of the said city, in common council convened, to pass such ordinances as to them shall seem meet . . . for regulating the keeping and transporting of gunpowder or other combustible or dangerous materials.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 15 (1980)
(1746)
Sought to raise 500 troops for a state army expedition against Canada. This act also made it unlawful for an officer "to inlist any young Men under the Age of Twenty One Years, or any Slaves who are so for Term of Life, bought Servants, or Apprentices, without the Express Leave in Writing of their Parents or Guardians, Masters or Mistresses."
1912 N.J. Laws 365-66
(1912)
Ch. 225, 3: A person who attempts to use against another, or who carries, or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slung-shot, billy, sand-club, sand-bag, metal knuckles, bludgeon, dagger, dirk, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, revolver, bomb or other high explosive, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon, with the intent to use the same unlawfully against another is guilty of a high misdemeanor
1903 N.J. Laws 337-38
(1903)
Ch. 169, 1: It shall not be lawful to sell, barter, exchange, hire or loan to any person under the age of fifteen years, any gun, pistol, toy pistol, or other firearms, or for any person under the age of fifteen years to purchase, barter or exchange any gun, pistol, toy pistol or other firearms, nor for any person under the age of fifteen years to carry, fire or use a gun, pistol toy pistol or other firearms, except in the presence of his father or guardian, or for the purpose of military drill in accordance with the rules of a school; it shall be the duty of all persons selling, hiring, bartering or exchanging pistols, revolvers, guns or other firearms, to keep and maintain a book of registry of the same
The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Paterson 81-82 (1851)
(1851)
An Ordinance concerning Police, 8 For keeping gunpowder: It shall not be lawful for any person to have or keep any quantity of Gunpowder, exceeding twenty-eight pounds, in any house, store, building, or other place within the limits of the City. And all Gunpowder which shall be kept in the City, shall be kept in tin canisters, which shall not contain more than seven pounds each, under a penalty of Five Dollars for each offence."
1797 N.J. Laws 219-20
(1797)
Required the assessor of each town to compare the list of 18-to-45-year-olds in the community to the list of persons enrolled for military duty, and to ensure that everyone 18 and older who was not exempted was keeping the proper arms and fulfilling his militia duties.
1913 N.J. Laws 339
(1913)
Ch. 186, 1-2: It shall not be lawful for any person or persons, corporation or corporations, to manufacture, sell, barter, exchange, hire, loan, give, buy or have in possession or use or shoot any air gun, spring gun or pistol, or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring or air and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure the person.
General Ordinances of the City of Plainfield, New Jersey 125-26 (1902)
(1895)
An Ordinance Concerning Firearms and Other Deadly Weapons: That no person shall fire or discharge any gun, fowling piece or firearms within the limits of the City of Plainfield. That no person shall carry within the limits of the City of Plainfield concealed upon or about his person, any pistol, dirk, butcher or bowie knife, stilletto, dagger, sword, or spear in a cane, brass or metal knuckles, razor, slug shot, or other deadly weapon
Charter of the City of Newark and Laws of New Jersey Relating to Said City: Ordinances of the Common Council of the City of Newark 29 (1850)
(1836)
An Ordinance Supplementary to a Law entitled "A Law for the appointment of a Street Commissioner and prescribing his duties," and for other purposes, 41 Discharging guns, &c.: No person shall, within the Lamp and Watch District, fire or discharge any gun, pistol, cannon, or fowling piece, or other fire arms, (unless in defence of his person or property,) nor let off any squibs, crackers, or other fireworks, in the city of Newark, unless by permission of the city authorities, under the penalty of five dollars for every offence."
1892 N.J. Laws 353
(1892)
Ch. 217, 1-2: That if any person shall be apprehended in any city of this state, having concealed upon his or her person any offensive weapon, then he or she shall be deemed and adjudged to be a disorderly person; provided, that this act shall not apply to sheriffs, under sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, policemen or other peace officers, nor to any person having a written permit from the police authorities of such city to carry such weapon.
Ordinances of Jersey City 59 (1874)
(1871)
An Ordinance Declaring Nuisances and Providing for their Abatement, 7-8 : If any person shall, without permission of the Board of Alderman, store or keep, or permit to be stored or kept in any building or on any lot in Jersey City, any rosin oil, coal oil, kerosene oil, or other explosive or combustible liquid in a greater quantity than five barrels; or any gunpowder in a greater quantity than twelve and one-half pounds, or any quantity of gunpowder in any vessel which is not wholly of stone or metal, such person shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a fine of fifty dollars for each offense

New Jersey

New Jersey

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