New Jersey legal term
Sawed-off shotgun in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Sawed-off shotgun” 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 “Sawed-off shotgun” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Sawed-off shotgun" means any shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length measured from the breech to the muzzle, or any firearm made from a rifle or a shotgun, whether by alteration or otherwise if such firearm as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. p. (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.