But Steven Hopler's lawyer argued in court in Morris County Thursday that there are no laws on how guns should be stored in private homes.
A court in 1994 allowed Hopler to purchase firearms and shoot them under strict conditions.
Prosecutors argued Hopler keeps the weapons in an unsafe manner throughout his home and shot himself while cleaning a gun in 2008.
The judge raised concerns about Hopler's habit of leaving loaded guns around his home. But the judge noted the former truck driver lives alone and even police officers have shot themselves while cleaning weapons.
The judge expects to issue a ruling on Aug. 19.
