New Jersey authorities recently arrested one of their own. Indeed, last month they charged a thirteen-year veteran with false representation in firearm applications. Additionally, authorities allege he lied about alcoholism on an application for a handgun purchaser’s permit. Moreover, the officer completed the applications in his hometown police department. Furthermore, he allegedly answered no to the question: Are you an alcoholic?¹ But authorities allege he had previously admitted an alcohol problem to a superior officer. Consequently, the charges against the officer delineate two counts of knowingly providing a false answer to a question on the official form used to apply for a handgun permit and/or a firearms purchaser identification card, per the news. Whether this impacted the officer’s ability to carry a service weapon, however, remains unclear. Indeed, this casts doubt on the allegations. Nevertheless, this officer will experience the justice system from a defendant’s side of the law.

False Representation in Firearm Applications, N.J.S.A. 2c:39-10

a. (1) Except as otherwise provided … any person who knowingly violates the regulatory provisions relating to … permits to purchase certain firearms N.J.S.2C:58-3 … except acts which are punishable under section N.J.S.2C:58-5 or section N.J.S.2C:58-2, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

…

c. Any person who gives or causes to be given any false information, or signs a fictitious name or address, in applying for a firearms purchaser identification card, a permit to purchase a handgun, a permit to carry a handgun, a permit to possess a machine gun, a permit to possess an assault firearm, or in completing the certificate or any other instrument required by law in purchasing or otherwise acquiring delivery of any rifle, shotgun, handgun, machine gun, or assault firearm or any other firearm, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

g. Any person who knowingly gives or causes to be given any false information or knowingly engages in any other fraudulent conduct in applying for an exemption to purchase more than one handgun in a 30-day period in violation of the provisions of section 4 of P.L.2009, c.186 (C.2C:58-3.4) shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree. The presumption of nonimprisonment set forth in N.J.S.2C:44-1 shall not apply to persons convicted under the provisions of this subsection.

Footnote

¹ N.J.S.A. 2c:58-3(e).

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