Sorry if this has been discussed before but I was thinking about it and it seems like a legitimate question

 

Now the way the law is written I believe it says you must go to the range in the most direct route possible with no deviations unless they're reasonably necessary deviations

 

Now the law in no way states that when arriving at the range you have to shoot at the range it just says the range must be able to accommodate shooting or target practice or other recreational activities

 

So what if you go to the range for other purposes, is that allowed

 

Example 1: you're going to the range for a safety course but there is no live fire at the safety course, but you're recommended to bring your firearm for the purpose of showing you how to safely handle it, clean it, load it, unload it and etc.

 

Example 2: you want to buy an accessory for your pistol but want to make sure it fits or works with your pistol so you go to the range where accessories or sold and you bring your pistol to see if they work

 

Now there's plenty of more variables but are they illegal if you go directly to the range but not to shoot

 

Now I know the law states if you're going to a repair shop with your pistol you must be going to said repair shop for the purpose of having your pistol repaired, but this is different, this is going to the range

You're worrying too much.

 

Are you trying to make a stop somewhere during example 1 or example 2?

 

Whether you're going to the range to shoot or not shoot, or a local shop to fit an accessory to your gun, you're fine.

No im not making a stop anywhere or even going to the range anytime soon, I was just thinking about nj law, I was just wondering what the law states, I mean if you want to get really technical the law doesn't even state the range must be in operating hours when you get there lol

 

Now if course someone can say that's common sense but common sense isn't law, if it was we wouldn't have some of the obvious laws we have

Also idk if there is such thing as worrying too much in the great state of nj lol

"Most direct route possible" doesn't fly.

 

If I go to the Bayonne pistol range, the "most direct route possible" takes me through Staten Island..... big nono...

the law doesn't say Reasonably necessary.

 

It says "deviations that are reasonably necessary under the circumstances"

 

The range, gun shop, home, business and hunting are exempted destinations. If your final destination is an exempted location, your transport is exempted. Reasonably necessary isn't spelled out per se. However, the are reasonably necessary UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

With regards to stops for vital human functions such as food, toilets, water....that's reasonably necessary, IMHO.

 

Auto emergencies? reasonably necessary since your mode of transport has been disabled.

 

If I'm going shooting with friends who don't live with me, my opinion is that the circumstance is that I'm going shooting with Cousin Joe....so I have to go pick him up and that is reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

 

The destination of my journey is an exempted location. If my destination was a go-go bar...that's not a reasonably necessary deviation under the circumstances.

 

It is a gray area for a reason, to provide LEO with the latitude to make a judgement on the spot whether you are up to no good. If you're NOT, and you get stopped, you may not be held up. But, it is at the LEO discretion whether or not to let the judge decide if you've broken the law by making deviations that aren't necessary under the circumstances.

 

Do things reasonably and responsibly...and I think you'll be fine.

 

I'm not a lawyer so this isn't legal advice. Your mileage may vary.

"Most direct route possible" doesn't fly.

 

If I go to the Bayonne pistol range, the "most direct route possible" takes me through Staten Island..... big nono...

 

took a wrong direction and almost made it into the bridge leaving the Bayonne Range one night.......sent chills down my spine instantly.....big NO NO

Also idk if there is such thing as worrying too much in the great state of nj lol

 

In my opinion, yes you can worry too much. Worrying too much is 80% of the 'what if' threads posted in the Gun Laws section.

 

Not trying to sound rude, but a lot of the questions asked in gun law threads are open ended. Most of the time forum members guess as to what possibly could be the right answer, so and so forth. Considering you could call your own township PD, State Police Firearm Dept, and the Federal Govt, and get 3 different answers, and get different answers on here, it gets to the point where some of us just stop worrying and just use some knowledge of NJ gun laws as well as common sense and most never got bothered.

 

Hence, why I said I think you're worrying too much. If you're going to the range to see if a holster fits or whatever, but you're not shooting, carry your pistol cased in the trunk and go do your thing. I just think people worry too much when, let's say, they gotta take a dump and hold it for 2 hrs on the way back from the range because they're not sure if it's a reasonable deviation.

 

In a situation like Damjan states, accidentally getting lost and going over to Staten Island or any NY town across the border, just turn around and make your way back. If a cop pulls you over and you're obviously lost messing around with your GPS and stuff, I highly doubt it is going to be that big of a deal. And if it is, well that sucks then haha.