FRC Jurisdictions Portal

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This top community organizes Firearms Research Center holdings by jurisdiction. It provides separate collections for U.S. states, territories, the District of Columbia, and the federal jurisdiction, spanning the territorial period to the present.

Scope of Content

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and selected municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, company records, and oral histories tied to specific places and periods.
Research outputs: FRC reports, datasets, and interpretive materials that contextualize legal and technical developments.

How to Use

Browse: open a jurisdiction collection to view items for that state, territory, DC, or the federal jurisdiction.
Search: use keywords and filter by Jurisdiction, Date Issued, and Category. Record any Exceptions noted for applicability.
Cite: use the item’s identifier and provided links (Original Source and Duke reference) when available.

Metadata & Standards

Items are described using Dublin Core with standardized fields for Jurisdiction, Date Issued, Category, and Exceptions to support precise discovery and comparison.

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 51

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.
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
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.
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;
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
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
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.
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.
1776 N.J. Laws 344
(1771)
Ch. 539, 1, 3: Be it Enacted by the Governor, Council and General Assembly of this colony of New Jersey, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That if any person or persons shall presume, at any time after the publication hereof, to carry any gun on any lands not his own, and for which the owner pays taxes, or is in his lawful possession, unless he hath license or permission in writing from the owner or owners, or legal possessor, every such person so offending, and convicted thereof, either upon the view of any justice of the peace within this colony, or by the oath or affirmation of one or more witnesses, before any justice of the peace of either of the counties, cities, or towns corporate of this colony, in which the offender or offenders may be taken or reside, he or she, or they, shall for every offence, forfeit and pay to the owner of the soil, or his tenant in possession, the sum of forty shillings, with costs of sit; which forfeiture shall and may be sued for and recovered by the owner of the soil, or tenant in possession before any justice of the peace in this colony, for the use of such owner or tenant in possession. Also provided that if the offender is not a resident of the colony, they shall pay a sum of five dollars and forfeit their arms.
1778 N.J. Laws 45
(1778)
An Act for the Regulating, Training and Arraying of the Militia, ch. 21, 11: That every Person enrolled shall constantly keep himself furnished with a good Musket, well fitted with a Bayonet, Steel Ramrod and Worm, a Cartridge-box, twenty three Rounds of Cartridges sized to his Musket, a Priming-wire, Brush and twelve Flints, a Knapsack and Canteen
1776-77 N.J. Laws 6
(1776)
"Act for the Inspection of Gunpowder," ch. 6, 1: Required the inspection of gunpowder prior to sale, and appointed state inspectors to "mark" lots that passed inspection.
1927 N.J. Laws 742
(1927)
Ch. 321, 1: Prohibited a pawnbroker from selling or possessing for sale, loan, or to give away a machine gun, automatic rifle, revolver, pistol, or other firearm, or other instrument of any kind known as a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, bludgeon, metal knuckles, dagger, dirk, dangerous knife, stiletto, bomb or other high explosive. Punishable as a high misdemeanor.
1916 N.J. Laws 275-76
(1916)
Ch. 130, 1-2: Prohibited any individuals from going into the woods or fields with a firearm while intoxicated or under influence of drugs or alcohol. Punishable by revocation of hunting and fishing license.
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
1912 N.J. Laws 366
(1912)
Ch. 225, 4: Every person selling a pistol, revolver or other firearm of a size which may be concealed upon the person whether such seller is a retail dealer, pawnbroker or otherwise, shall keep a register in which shall be entered at the time of sale the date of sale, name, age, occupation and residence of every purchaser of such a pistol, revolver or other firearm, together with the calibre, make, model, manufacturer's number or other mark of identification on such pistol, revolver or other firearm
1934 N.J. Laws 394-95
(1934)
Ch. 155, 1-5: Declares a person who possesses a machine gun or submachine gun a "gangster" and therefore, enemy of the state. Also declares a person who carries a deadly weapon without a permit a "gangster." If convicted a "gangster," punishable by fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 20 years.
1906 N.J. Laws 699-700
(1906)
Ch. 317, 1: It shall be unlawful for three years after the passage of this act for any person to gun for or to take, or attempt to take, kill, injure or destroy, or to have in possession any wild deer, be the same buck, doe or fawn, under penalty of one hundred dollars for each offense; and thereafter it shall be unlawful to take, kill, injure or destroy or to hunt with intent to take, kill, injure or destroy, any wild deer, be the same buck, doe or fawn, excepting on every Wednesday in the month of November
1905 N.J. Laws 324-25
(1905)
Ch. 172, 1: Prohibited the carrying of a concealed revolver, pistol or other deadly, offensive or dangerous weapon or firearm or any stiletto, dagger or razor. Punishable by fine up to $200 and/or imprisonment with hard labor up to 2 years.
1885 N.J. Laws 52
(1885)
Ch. 44, 2: That it shall not be lawful to sell, hire or loan to any person under the age of fifteen years any gun, pistol, toy pistol, or other fire-arms; or for any person under the age of fifteen years to purchase, barter or exchange any gun, pistol, toy pistol or other fire-arms; nor for any person under the age of fifteen years to carry, fire or use any gun, pistol, toy pistol or other fire-arms, except in the presence of his father or guardian, or for the purpose of military drill in accordance with the rules of a school.
1900 N J. Laws 395-96
(1900)
Ch. 158, 1: Any person or persons who shall cast or throw any stick, stone, pebble, or other substance, or who shall shoot from any air gun, pistol or rifle any shot or ball at, against or into any trolley car, street railway car or steam railroad car . . . shall be deemed a disorderly person, and upon conviction shall be punished as such, before any justice of the peace, police justice, or city recorder in this state.
1903 N.J. Laws 671
(1903)
Ch. 257, 49: No person shall be entitled to carry or require any company to carry on any railroad any aqua fortis, oil or vitriol, gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, matches, or other goods of a dangerous nature and if any person sends by the railway any such goods without distinctly marking their nature on the outside of the package containing the same, or otherwise giving notice in writing to the agent of the company with whom the same are left at the time of so sending, he shall forfeit to the company twenty dollars for every such offense, and be besides liable to all damage that may occur therefrom, and the company may refuse to take any parcel that they may suspect to contain goods of a dangerous nature or may require the same to be opened to ascertain the fact.
1912 N.J. Laws 364
(1912)
Ch. 225, 1: Any person who shall carry any revolver, pistol, firearm, bludgeon, blackjack, knuckles, sand-bag, slung-shot or other deadly, offensive or dangerous weapon, or any stiletto, dagger or razor or any knife with a blade five inches in length or over concealed in or about his clothes or person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
1901 N J. Laws 265
(1901)
Ch. 120, 14: It shall be unlawful to hunt with a hound or hounds, or with fire-arms or weapons of any kind, or to carry a gun in the woods or fields or on the waters on the Sabbath day, commonly called Sunday, under a penalty of twenty dollars for each offence.
1920 N.J. Laws 67
(1920)
Ch. 31, 9: Prohibits hunting fowl or other animals with any shotgun or rifle holding more than two cartridges or that may be fired more than twice without reloading. Violators fined twenty dollars.
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.
1821 N.J. Laws 259
(1820)
An Act for the punishment of crimes, 56: That if any person shall, by word, message, letter, or any other way, challenge another to a fight a duel, with a rapier, or small sword, backsword, pistol, or other dangerous weapon, or shall accept a challenge, although no duel be fought, or knowingly by the bearer of such challenge, or shall any ways abet, prompt, encourage, persuade, seduce, or cause any person to fight a duel, or to challenge another to fight such a duel, every person so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
1909 N.J. Laws 179-80
(1909)
Ch. 113, 1: Any person who shall have in his or her possession any dynamite, nitro-glycerine, guncotton or other explosive of any nature whatsoever, with intent to injure any person or persons or with intent to unlawfully injure any property, with, by, or by any use of such dynamite, nitro-glycerine, guncotton or other explosive of any nature whatsoever, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by imprisonment in the State prison for not less than one year, nor more than five years.
1811 N.J. Laws 225-26
(1811)
An Act to Regulate Gun Powder Manufactories and Magazines within this State 1: Required manufactories of gunpowder and storage magazines to be located away from populated areas.
1914 N.J. Laws 65
(1914)
Ch. 43, 1: No license to hunt, pursue or kill with a gun or any fire-arm any of the game birds wild animals or fowl of this State, shall be issued to any person under the age of fourteen years, and if any applicant for license shall misrepresent his age he shall be liable to a penalty of twenty dollars, to be sued for and recovered as other penalties under the fish and game laws.
1821 N.J. Laws 370-71
(1798)
An Act respecting slaves: Prohibited "any negro or other slave" from hunting or carrying a gun on the first day of the week, or Sunday subject to imprisonment.
1904 N.J. Laws 178
(1904)
Ch. 68, 1: Any person trespassing upon any marsh, swamp or meadow grounds lying within the bounds of any meadow bank company, organized or to be organized under the provisions of the act . . . where the owners and possessors of the said marsh, swamp or meadow lands, lying within the bounds of such meadow bank company, have caused or permitted or suffered, or shall hereafter cause or permit or suffer the same to be subjected to the overflowing of the tide, carrying a gun, after public notice on the part of the owner, possessor, lessee or licensee of any such marsh, swamp or meadow grounds subjected to the overflowing of the tide, forbidding such trespassing, such notice being posted conspicuously adjacent to the highway binding on such lands or adjacent to any usual entrance-way to said land, shall be deemed and adjudged to be a disorderly person.

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