Allows possession of bear spray under certain conditions.

This bill (S 824) amends New Jersey law to grant civil immunity for individuals using bear spray to repel aggressive bears. It specifically allows people possessing bear spray for bear defense to avoid civil lawsuits if they reasonably believe its use was necessary for self-defense, provided they did not act willfully, wantonly, or with gross negligence. The law updates existing self-defense protections under N.J.S.2C:39-6 to explicitly include bear spray as a defensive tool in bear encounters. It directly affects residents and visitors in bear-populated areas who may need to use bear spray for safety. The bill does not change possession laws but clarifies legal protections when bear spray is used appropriately.