2C:58-13. Transfer of assault firearm to another; rendering inoperable; voluntarily surrendering

 a.   Any person who legally owns an assault firearm on the effective date of this act and who is unable to register or chooses not to register the firearm pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1990, c.32 (C.2C:58-12) may retain possession of that firearm for a period not to exceed one year from the effective date of this act.  During this time period, the owner of the assault firearm shall either: 

    (1)  Transfer the assault firearm to any person or firm lawfully entitled to own or possess such firearm;

 

    (2)  Render the assault firearm inoperable; or

 

    (3)  Voluntarily surrender the assault firearm pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:39-12.

 

    b.   If the owner of an assault firearm elects to render the firearm inoperable, the owner shall file a certification on a form prescribed by the Superintendent of the State Police indicating the date on which the firearm was rendered inoperable.  This certification shall be filed with either the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the owner resides or, in the case of an owner who resides outside this State but stores or possesses an assault firearm in this State, with the Superintendent of the State Police. 

    c.   As used in this section, "inoperable" means that the firearm is altered in such a manner that it cannot be immediately fired and that the owner or possessor of the firearm does not possess or have control over the parts necessary to make the firearm operable.