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New Jersey Sensitive Places - Where Firearms Carrying Prohibited

In New Jersey, there are specific locations where carrying firearms is prohibited. Familiarize yourself with these prohibited areas to ensure compliance with the law. This article provides an overview and important information regarding these locations.
NJ Handgun Laws

Disclaimer: “This information should not be used as a basis to make decisions about when and where the right to carry can be lawfully exercised. Consult with your own attorney before deciding when or where you are prohibited from lawfully carrying.”

2C:58-4.6 – Locations where carrying a firearm is prohibited “sensitive places.”
(It is a 3rd degree crime to enter a prohibited place with a firearm).
See Koons/Siegel v. AG/NJSP case for current statues of the prohibited places law.
As of July 1, 2023, the following are included in the prohibited places under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6:

(1) A place owned, leased, or under the control of State, county or municipal government used for the purpose of government administration, including but not limited to police stations;

(2) A courthouse, courtroom, or any other premises used to conduct judicial or court administrative proceedings or functions;

(3) A State, county, or municipal correctional or juvenile justice facility, jail and any other place maintained by or for a governmental entity for the detention of criminal suspects or offenders;

(4) A State-contracted half-way house;

(5) A location being used as a polling place during the conduct of an election and places used for the storage or tabulation of ballots;

(6) Within 100 feet of a place where a public gathering, demonstration or event is held for which a government permit is required, during the conduct of such gathering, demonstration or event;

(7) A school, college, university or other educational institution, and on any school bus;

(8) A childcare facility, including a day care center;

(9) A nursery school, pre-school, zoo, or summer camp;

(10) A park, beach, recreation facility or area or playground owned or controlled by a State, county or local government unit, or any part of such a place, which is designated as a gun free zone by the governing authority based on considerations of public safety;

(11) Youth sports events, during and immediately preceding and following the conduct of the event, except that this provision shall not apply to participants of a youth sports event which is a firearm shooting competition;

(12) A publicly owned or leased library or museum;

(13) A shelter for the homeless, emergency shelter for the homeless, basic center shelter program, shelter for homeless or runaway youth, children’s shelter, child care shelter, shelter for victims of domestic violence, or any shelter licensed by or under the control of the Juvenile Justice Commission or the Department of Children and Families;

(14) A community residence for persons with developmental disabilities, head injuries, or terminal illnesses, or any other residential setting licensed by the Department of Human Services or Department of Health;

(15) A bar or restaurant where alcohol is served, and any other site or facility where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises;

(16) A Class 5 Cannabis retailer or medical cannabis dispensary, including any consumption areas licensed or permitted by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission;

(17) A privately or publicly owned and operated entertainment facility within this State, including but not limited to a theater, stadium, museum, arena, racetrack or other place where performances, concerts, exhibits, games or contests are held;

(18) A casino and related facilities, including but not limited to appurtenant hotels, retail premises, restaurant and bar facilities, and entertainment and recreational venues located within the casino property; (Note that the Casino Association of New Jersey issued a statement on behalf of all Atlantic City casinos banning the right to carry on all casino property. The Association of NJ Rifle & Pistol Clubs has called for a BOYCOTT of Atlantic City Casinos by gun owners.)

(19) A plant or operation that produces, converts, distributes or stores energy or converts one form of energy to another;

(20) Public transportation hub;

(21) A health care facility, including but not limited to a general hospital, special hospital, psychiatric hospital, public health center, diagnostic center, treatment center, rehabilitation center, extended care facility, skilled nursing home, nursing home, intermediate care facility, tuberculosis hospital, chronic disease hospital, maternity hospital, outpatient clinic, dispensary, assisted living center, home health care agency, residential treatment facility, residential health care facility, medical office, or ambulatory care facility;

(22) A facility licensed or regulated by the Department of Human Services, Department of Children and Families, or Department of Health, other than a health care facility, that provides addiction or mental health treatment or support services;

(23) A public location being used for making motion picture or television images for theatrical, commercial or educational purposes, during the time such location is being used for that purpose;

(25) Any other place in which the carrying of a firearm is prohibited by statute or rule or regulation promulgated by a federal or State agency.

 

2C:58-4.6 – Locations where you can carry a firearm if you have a New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit and have said New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit in your possession along with Valid Identification.

  1. Vehicle
  2. Private property, “held open to the public” including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, or undeveloped property, unless the owner has provided express consent or has posted a sign indicating that it is permissible to carry on the premises a concealed handgun with a valid and lawfully issued permit under N.J.S.2C:58-4
  3. An airport. Upon review, the Court has provided clarification that Chapter 131 does not prohibit carrying while dropping off or picking up passengers at the curbside.
  4. Public film locations

 

The court’s decision only impacts carry rights for the duration of the state’s appeal and does not necessarily mean that the state’s appeal will ultimately be successful.

 

Gun owners should take the responsibility to stay informed of all developments in this case as they occur since this situation remains subject to change at any moment.