New Jersey legal term
Machine gun in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Machine gun” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New Jersey criminal code.
What does “Machine gun” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Machine gun" means any firearm, mechanism, or instrument not requiring that the trigger be pressed for each shot and having a reservoir, belt, or other means of storing and carrying ammunition which can be loaded into the firearm, mechanism, or instrument and fired therefrom. (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.