Why hollow points are the default
A hollow point bullet has a cavity in its nose that's designed to make it expand when it hits soft tissue. Expansion slows the bullet down and is meant to keep more of its energy in the target rather than passing through. That's why police agencies, most civilian defensive shooters and many hunters choose expanding bullets. Our FMJ vs hollow point guide explains the design difference in more detail.
The U.S. military's long use of full metal jacket ammunition comes from international rules of war, not civilian law. The 1899 Hague Declaration prohibited bullets that easily expand or flatten in the body for use in international warfare, and the United States did not agree to that prohibition. The U.S. military has since adopted a hollow point pistol round, the M1153, for limited situations. None of that governs what a civilian can buy at a gun store.
The New Jersey statute
New Jersey's rule is in its criminal code at N.J.S. 2C:39-3, the section on prohibited weapons and devices. Subsection (f), titled "Dum-dum or armor piercing ammunition," makes it a crime of the fourth degree for anyone, other than a law enforcement officer or certain persons covered by another section, who "knowingly has in his possession any hollow nose or dum-dum bullet."
The statute then carves out exemptions. The key one for ordinary gun owners is in subsection (g)(2)(a). In plain English, it says the hollow nose ban doesn't prevent a person from:
- keeping hollow nose ammunition at their dwelling, premises or other land they own or possess, and
- carrying it from the place of purchase to that dwelling or land.
The same subsection lets licensed dealers possess it at their licensed premises, with record-keeping on sales to non-dealers. Other exemptions cover members of the Armed Forces and National Guard, on-duty law enforcement in authorized circumstances, and designated security personnel at federally licensed nuclear power plants.
The armor-piercing half of the same subsection
Subsection (f) also has a second part, (f)(2), covering armor piercing ammunition as New Jersey defines it elsewhere in the code. That part has its own exception for licensed collectors of curios and relics, who may keep a limited number of examples of each distinctive variation. People sometimes blur the two halves together. They're separate rules: (f)(1) is about hollow nose bullets, and (f)(2) is about armor piercing ammunition. Ordinary defensive hollow points fall under (f)(1). Our green tip legality guide covers how armor-piercing definitions work at the federal level.
What the statute does not spell out
Gun owners often assume the exemptions are broader than they are. In the subsection (f) and (g) text reviewed for this article, there is no specific exemption written for:
- carry permit holders carrying hollow points outside the home,
- taking hollow points to a shooting range, or
- hunting with hollow points.
That doesn't necessarily mean those activities are always prohibited. New Jersey State Police guidance has historically addressed how sportsmen may transport and use hollow points for range and hunting purposes, and the Wikipedia summary of that guidance describes allowances for hunting with a license and for club members going directly to a range. Guidance can change, and New Jersey's carry laws have changed in recent years. If you hold a New Jersey carry permit or hunt or shoot in the state, get current guidance from the New Jersey State Police or a New Jersey attorney before you carry or transport hollow points anywhere other than home.
New Jersey transport rules for firearms
A related section, N.J.S. 2C:39-6, governs transporting firearms. It allows people to transport firearms while traveling directly to or from places such as a hunting or fishing location or a target range, and requires that the firearm be unloaded and in a closed and fastened case, gunbox or securely tied package, or locked in the vehicle's trunk, with deviations only as reasonably necessary. That section is about guns, not hollow point ammo specifically, but anyone traveling with firearms and ammunition in New Jersey needs to follow both.
What about other states?
Outside New Jersey, hollow point ammunition is widely sold to civilians. That doesn't mean there are no rules at all. Things to check in your own state and town:
- Local ordinances. Some cities and counties have their own ammunition rules.
- Hunting regulations. Many state wildlife agencies regulate bullet types for big game, and some require expanding bullets for certain animals. Others restrict lead in certain areas.
- Carry rules. Where and how you carry a loaded firearm is governed separately from what ammunition you own.
- Purchase rules. Some states require background checks or permits for ammunition purchases, regardless of bullet type.
- Travel. Ammo legal at home may not be legal at your destination. Our flying with ammo guide covers airline rules.
A practical checklist
- Find your state's statute. Search your state's official legislative website for "hollow point" or "hollow nose."
- Check your state police or attorney general guidance. These often explain how the statute is applied.
- Check local rules for your city and county.
- Before traveling, check every state you'll pass through, not just your destination.
- When in doubt, ask a local attorney who handles firearms law.
Choosing ammo where it's legal
Where hollow points are legal for you, the usual approach is to carry a proven defensive hollow point and practice with matching-weight full metal jacket. Common examples include Federal HST 9mm 147 gr and Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 124 gr +P, paired with practice ammo like Blazer Brass 9mm 115 gr FMJ. Ammunition Depot's 9mm section lists both types. Check the retailer's shipping restrictions for your state before ordering.
If you live in New Jersey and keep a defensive firearm at home, the statute's home exemption is the relevant one. For anything beyond that, get current guidance first. Our best 9mm self-defense ammo guide covers load selection.
Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from statutes, published references and retailer listings. It is not legal advice, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify current law where you live and where you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Are hollow points illegal in New Jersey?
Possessing hollow nose bullets is a fourth-degree crime under N.J.S. 2C:39-3(f) unless an exemption applies. The main exemption allows keeping them at your own home or land and carrying them there directly from the place of purchase.
Can you carry hollow points in New Jersey with a permit?
The statute text reviewed here doesn't include a specific exemption for carry permit holders. Get current guidance from the New Jersey State Police or a New Jersey attorney before carrying hollow points outside your home.
Are hollow points legal in other states?
Hollow points are widely sold to civilians outside New Jersey, but local ordinances, hunting regulations and purchase rules can still apply. Check your state's current statutes.
Why does the military use FMJ instead of hollow points?
Largely because of the 1899 Hague Declaration on expanding bullets in international warfare. It doesn't apply to civilian self-defense, and the U.S. has adopted a hollow point pistol round for limited uses.
Can I take hollow points to the range in New Jersey?
The statute itself doesn't spell out a range exemption. New Jersey State Police guidance has historically addressed range and hunting transport, so check current official guidance before you go.
Sources and further reading
Related reading
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