In this appeal, the court addresses the relatively rare set of facts requiring a self-defense jury instruction when a defendant is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(d). A jury convicted defendant of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, which was a knife. Defendant argues that the jury instruction on the charge was improper because it did not include his request for a self-defense instruction. The court agrees and reverses his conviction because the jury could have found self-defense was a justification for defendant's possession of a knife, which he testified he possessed for use at work and only took out spontaneously in self-defense. Defendant's other arguments are without merit or moot.