I was walking through a nearby park by myself this evening at dusk.  The place was desolate and peaceful.  As I was strolling along, I started thinking that it would be a lot more fun if I was able to carry my SIRT inert training pistol in my IWB holster

(http://nextleveltraining.com/content/sirt-specifications), and use stealth, cover, and concealment to get close enough to use deer as targets for dry fire with the laser. 

 

Is that totally crazy?  Or is it just crazy here in NJ?  I'm in my early 60's, but young at heart and dumb enough to try something like this.  Other than possibly getting shot by police, who might think I had a gun (although I've never seen them in this particular wooded arboretum), would I risk a nuisance charge like "creating a public menace"?

 

Any thoughts from my knowledgeable colleagues?

You're in NJ, right?

 

I wouldn't do this on a dare, while drunk.  Too many opportunities to get fouled up here in this communist state.

Agree with djg0770 while in all reality it would be harmless....in nj that activity would most likely not end well

And if you're thinking of chewing a cookie into the shape of a gun (or the state of Florida) and carrying that for practice.... don't.

There is a law against casting a beam of light on a deer to target them. The law doesn't specifically say its ok if your not using a real gun. So I don't know if its actually ok or not.

 

NJ fish and game code:

 

Specifically Prohibited:

 

"Sights that cast a light or a spot onto any game animal"

 

I would say that means its illegal. If they want to write a summons it could wind up being a pain in the neck.

 

I also think it would be a much more interesting game, if you played it in Newark at Weak Wake Park. Instead of deer target gang bangers & drug dealers. Now that would be a great video game idea!

 

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There is a law against casting a beam of light on a deer to target them. The law doesn't specifically say its ok if your not using a real gun. So I don't know if its actually ok or not. NJ fish and game code:Specifically Prohibited:"Any sight that casts a light or a spot onto any game animal"I would say that means its illegal.Sent using Tapatalk 2 NOW FREE!!!

I would have to assume that it would be illegal while in the act of hunting, which he's not.

I would have to assume that it would be illegal while in the act of hunting, which he's not.

probably not you are allowed to shine lights on deer as long as your not in possession of any weapon capable of killing the animal.

 

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Just because you MIGHT be legal (not a real gun) doesn't mean you should!  You could wind-up in front of a Judge explaining what kind of gun you have that doesn't shoot bullets....

I would categorize this as a bad idea in all 50 states.

is there any vague "imitation firearm" law in NJ?

2C:39-1 Definitions

v. "imitation firearm" means an object or device reasonably capable of being mistaken for a firearm.

 

2C:12-1b Aggravated Assault

(10) Knowingly points, displays or uses an imitation firearm, as defined in subsection v. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, at or in the direction of a law enforcement officer with the purpose to intimidate, threaten or attempt to put the officer in fear of bodily injury or for any unlawful purpose; or

(11) Uses or activates a laser sighting system or device, or a system or device which, in the manner used, would cause a reasonable person to believe that it is a laser sighting system or device, against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of his authority. As used in this paragraph, "laser sighting system or device" means any system or device that is integrated with or affixed to a firearm and emits a laser light beam that is used to assist in the sight alignment or aiming of the firearm.

 

2C:39-4: Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purposes

(e) Imitation firearms. Any person who has in his possession an imitation firearm under circumstances that would lead an observer to reasonably believe that it is possessed for an unlawful purpose is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

 

2C:39-5: Unlawful Possession of Weapons

e(3) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any imitation firearm in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any school, college, university or other educational institution, without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution, or while on any school bus is a disorderly person, irrespective of whether he possesses a valid permit to carry a firearm or a valid firearms purchaser identification card.

Thank you gentlemen for your replies.  Sounds like there would be nothing inherently illegal in what I described.  (The law against shining a light on a deer only prohibits one from doing so while hunting them, I'm pretty sure.)  But it looks like the consensus agrees with me that it would be a pretty dumb idea, as I alluded to in my original post.  So I guess popping the deer with an AirSoft gun would be out of the question.     

While there are wily deer that actually get hunted in NJ, most local deer are so used to humans in close proximity that you can challenge yourself by trying to get close enough to hit them with a stick...

Dude, just look at your post. It's not just a bad idea, it's crazy! You don't think someone will report you for being that crazy guy with a fake gun pretending to shoot deer? Think about it for a minute...

Dude, just look at your post. It's not just a bad idea, it's crazy! You don't think someone will report you for being that crazy guy with a fake gun pretending to shoot deer? Think about it for a minute...

Lmao someone finally said what a lot must be thinking....lol

So I guess popping the deer with an AirSoft gun would be out of the question.     

 

This is full on idiotic, juvenile, and borderline sociopathic.

That's not crazy in NJ, that's crazy everywhere.

 

Carrying an unloaded gun is pretty stupid. Carrying that thing is... I don't know what it is. I'll go with your take on it.