Airgun law · United States

Are Airguns Legal in New Jersey?

Mostly no, or only under severe restrictions.

Treated at or near firearm level, with an effective ban or major criminal-law exposure for ordinary ownership. Watch the treated as firearm rule in particular.

Tier 1 — Severely Restricted

Cannot ship to civilian addresses, or must treat as a firearm sale.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive New Jersey is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationTreated as firearm

Age rule21+ required

PossessionPermit required

Transfer / saleFirearm-grade process

TransportLike a firearm

PreemptionPartial preemption

Before you buy or sell

MOST RESTRICTIVE STATE IN THE NATION.
Unlawful possession of an air pistol without permit = third-degree crime, 3–5 years imprisonment.
Treat all NJ buyers like firearms buyers.

The rules in detail

Classification

Treated as firearm

STATUTORY FIREARM. N.J.S. 2C:39-1(f) defines 'firearm' to include any 'air gun, spring gun or pistol' ejecting a projectile smaller than 3/8 inch.

Age rule

21+ required

Same as conventional firearms: 18 for long guns, 21 for handguns from FFLs.

Possession

Permit required

Air RIFLES require a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC). Air PISTOLS require a Permit to Carry. Background check, fingerprinting, and character references required.

Transfer / sale

Firearm-grade process

Marketplace must implement same compliance procedures as for conventional firearms — verify FPIC for rifles, Permit to Purchase for pistols.

Transport

Like a firearm

Must comply with NJ firearms transport rules (unloaded, cased, locked, separate from ammunition).

Preemption

Partial preemption

Strong firearms preemption under NJ law.

Hunting with an airgun

Small-game allowance only in captured sources

Deer

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved / not mentioned

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved

Small game

Explicitly allowed

Allowed for rabbit/hare/jackrabbit and gray squirrel

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved

Other big game

Unresolved / not addressed

Unresolved

Caliber / FPE minimums

Caliber .177 to .22

Notes

Allows airguns for rabbit, hare, jackrabbit, and gray squirrel within tight caliber limits. BBs are not legal.

Federal baseline

Federal statusAir guns are NOT firearms under federal law. 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3) defines 'firearm' as a weapon expelling a projectile 'by the action of an explosive.' Air guns use compressed air, CO₂, springs, or gas pistons — outside this definition.

ShippingUSPS explicitly permits airgun shipments under Pub. 52 § 431.7. Pistols and >400 fps require Adult Signature. UPS and FedEx are inconsistent due to internal policy confusion. USPS is the most reliable carrier.

Firearm-frame airgunsAn airgun built on the frame or receiver of an actual firearm (e.g., AR-15 lower) IS a federal firearm regardless of propulsion method, under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3)(B). The marketplace MUST screen for these at listing.

See the full US picture

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.