The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A867 Establishes Stand Your Ground Self-Defense Law
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary CommitteeSponsors: Gerry Scharfenberger and 2 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Assembly Bill 867 establishes a 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense law in New Jersey, removing the for individuals in lawful control of a dwelling or vehicle and authorizing the use of non-deadly or under specific circumstances. The measure creates a legal presumption of reasonable fear of death or serious harm when confronting forcible unlawful entry, repeals existing statute N.J.S.2C:3-6 regarding the defense of premises, and takes effect on the 90th day following enactment.
Modifies legal standards governing criminal and civil liability for individuals who use defensive force inside a dwelling or occupied vehicle by eliminating the traditional requirement to retreat before using force.
- New Jersey statutes historically required individuals to retreat from a threat if safely possible before resorting to deadly force outside of certain narrow home defense exceptions. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Residents and property occupants
Legal rights regarding the use of defensive force and the absence of a duty to retreat within dwellings and occupied vehicles are modified.
Law enforcement officers
Officers acting in the performance of official duties are excluded from the legal presumption of forcible intruder threat under specified conditions.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a resident have a duty to retreat under this bill?
When does the legal presumption of fear NOT apply?
What prior law does this bill repeal?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Elimination of Duty to Retreat
The measure shifts state legal standards by removing the duty to retreat for individuals in lawful control of dwellings or occupied vehicles.
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy90Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz65Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools