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New Jersey criminal charge

Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11. Its classification is not fixed: New Jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11.

What is the penalty for pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey?

Penalties for Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison3 years to 5 years (Pawnbroker selling/lending/giving weapon, destructive device or explosive — Applies when a pawnbroker sells, offers to sell, lends, or gives away any weapon, destructive device, or explosive.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs))presumptiveN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Fineup to $15,000 (Pawnbroker selling/lending/giving weapon, destructive device or explosive — Applies when a pawnbroker sells, offers to sell, lends, or gives away any weapon, destructive device, or explosive.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-6
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (Loaning money secured by firearm — Applies when a person loans money using a handgun, rifle, or shotgun as security.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8
Fineup to $1,000 (Loaning money secured by firearm — Applies when a person loans money using a handgun, rifle, or shotgun as security.)discretionaryN.J.S.A. 2C:43-8

Applies to current.

How is pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms classified in New Jersey?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Pawnbroker selling/lending/giving weapon, destructive device or explosiveCrime of the Third DegreeApplies when a pawnbroker sells, offers to sell, lends, or gives away any weapon, destructive device, or explosive.N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11undefined
Loaning money secured by firearmDisorderly Persons OffenseApplies when a person loans money using a handgun, rifle, or shotgun as security.N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11undefined

Common questions about pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey

What degree of offense is pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey?

It depends on the circumstances: pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms ranges from a Disorderly Persons Offense to a Crime of the Third Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11.

Pawnbroker selling/lending/giving weapon, destructive device or explosive: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11) · Loaning money secured by firearm: Disorderly Persons Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11)

What are the penalties for pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey?

Penalties for pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a Disorderly Persons Offense up to a Crime of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 and N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which New Jersey statute covers pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms?

Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-11 (Pawnbrokers; loaning on firearms).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.