New Jersey issues gun license for both open and concealed carry of firearms in the state.

To apply, make sure that you meet the requirements provided by the gun laws of the state.

New Jersey Gun Permit Summary

New Jersey is a may-issue state for the application of firearms processed at the local level by a local police station.

The state issues permit based on the discretion of the licensing department.

Also, to buy firearms in the state, you must apply for a purchase permit, and so doing, complete a criminal record check.

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How To Get A Gun Permit In New Jersey

To apply for a New Jersey pistol permit, you must be twenty-one years old or more.

New Jersey issues gun licenses to both residents and non-residents of the state. It is a licensed open carry state.

New Jersey Gun Permit Laws

To open carry in New Jersey, you must have a pistol permit. But the state still has off-limit areas for the possession of firearms in places like hospitals, courthouses, and schools.

New Jersey prohibits high capacity firearms with more than ten rounds of ammunition. Also, it is illegal to use hollow-point and armor-piercing bullets.

However, since sport professionals use hollow-point bullets, they can possess them in their homes or during their sporting activities.

New Jersey Gun Permit Requirements

To apply for a gun license, you must meet all the requirements provided by New Jersey pistol permit laws, and they are:

  • You must be at least twenty-one years old.
  • You must be of good moral character.
  • You must demonstrate your familiarity with the safe handling of firearms by completing a New Jersey firearm training permit class.
  • You must not have any disability or deformity, stated under the state laws, that won’t let you get an identification card to purchase a firearm in New Jersey.
  • You must provide a good reason that justifies your need to carry a firearm.
  • You must provide three references that know you for at least three years.
  • You must meet all other federal law requirements to possess firearms.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In New Jersey

A summary of firearms permits in New Jersey includes the following:

  • State permit to purchase long guns: New Jersey does not issue a state permit to buy rifles, but you must provide an identification card.
  • State permits to purchase handguns: New Jersey does issue a state permit to purchase handguns.
  • State permit to open carry: New Jersey is a licensed open carry state, so you need a license to open carry.
  • State permits to conceal carry long guns: New Jersey does not issue a state permit to conceal long weapons, but you must have an Identification card.
  • State permits to conceal carry handguns: New Jersey issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In New Jersey?

The initial and renewal permit application in New Jersey costs fifty dollars.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In New Jersey?

The processes for application of pistol permit in New Jersey include the following:

Complete Firearm Training

Make sure that you complete a New Jersey firearm training course.

Download Application

Download your permit application form from the online portal.

Provide References

Provide three references that have known you for at least three years.

Complete Application Forms

Complete three copies of your application forms and have all of them notarized.

Provide Passport Photographs

You need to provide Four copies of a recently taken passport photograph.

Submit Other Documents

Take the three copies of your application to a police station closest to your residential address.

Other documents to provide include:

  • Four copies of colored passport photographs.
  • A completed mental health consent form.
  • A written note with reasons why your New Jersey pistol permit application should be accepted.
  • Your firearms training certificate.

After this, have your fingerprints taken and pay the required fee.

Presenting Your Application Permit To The Court

After the approval of your application, you must present it to your county’s superior court.

For non-residents, you can show it to the court of any county where you want to possess firearms.

The court will now issue you a permit after it has reviewed the application and certified that you qualify to conceal carry.

For New Jersey renewal permit process, the processes to follow include the following:

Complete Firearm Training

You have to redo firearm training for the renewal permit application.

Obtain The Application

Download the renewal application form from the online portal.

Get Your References

Provide at least three references that have known you for at least three years.

Complete Renewal Application Form

Complete the application, make three copies, and have each of them notarized.

Take Passport Photographs

Obtain four copies of your passport photograph.

Submit The Application

Take the renewal application alongside these documents to a police office closest to your home of residence:

  • The four copies of your passport photograph.
  • A completed mental health form.
  • A statement explaining your reason for the possession of firearms.
  • Proof of completed firearm training.

You will also have to provide your fingerprints.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With New Jersey

New Jersey does not accept pistol permits from any other jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Aspects of its reciprocity with other states include the following.

States That Recognize New Jersey Pistol License

These states will allow you to conceal carry firearms within their territory as long as you have a New Jersey gun license. But make sure that you carry the firearm according to gun laws of the states. The states are:

  • Alabama
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Puerto Rico

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity

In Michigan, you can make use of a New Jersey gun license, but there are other individual requirements you must meet.

States That Do Not Have Pistol Permit Requirements

These states are permitless carry states, and you do not need a pistol permit to possess firearms within their territory. However, some of them have age requirements and other off-limit places where you may not possess firearms. They include the following:

  • Arizona
  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In New Jersey

One of the most frequently asked questions about pistol permit in New Jersey in terms of application, renewal and other important information includes the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In New Jersey?

Yes, to conceal carry firearms in New Jersey, you must have a gun license.

For How Long Is New Jersey Pistol Permit Valid?

The pistol permit is valid for two years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit.

Can Non-Residents Apply For New Jersey Firearm Permits?

Yes, New Jersey issues pistol permits to non-residents of the state, and this is the same application process as that of residents.

Non-residents can apply for the permit application at the local police station closest to their geographical location.

How Can I Change The Name And Address On My New Jersey Pistol License?

Contact the head of the police department in your local municipality about an update on name or residence change.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Permit Or It Gets Stolen?

Contact the head of the police department in your local municipality for cases of theft or missing New Jersey pistol permit.

How Soon Can I Apply For New Jersey Pistol Permit After Moving To The State?

To apply for a New Jersey pistol permit, you need to obtain either a state ID card or a driver’s permit. As soon as you get any of these, you can apply for the gun license.

Can I Make Use Of New Jersey Pistol Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

Upon establishing residency in another state, your New Jersey pistol permit will expire automatically if you do not update the address.

If you update your address, then the permit will be valid until it eventually expires.

Do I Need A New Jersey Pistol Permit To Open Carry In The State?

Yes, New Jersey issues pistol permits to open carry firearms in any part of the state.

New Jersey is a licensed open carry state, and anybody that is twenty-one years old without any prohibition against possessing firearms can open carry in the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Apply For New Jersey Gun Permit?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to apply for a pistol permit in New Jersey.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In New Jersey?

Yes, New Jersey issues a pistol permit for the purchase of firearms in the state.

Does My Firearm Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In New Jersey?

No, regardless of a New Jersey pistol permit, you must complete a criminal record check for the possession of firearms in the state.

Do I Need A New Jersey Gun Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No, you do not need a pistol permit to possess firearms in your dwelling place, business place, or any property that you own.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Applying For New Jersey Gun Permit?

Yes, you must complete one of the state-approved firearm training before you apply for a pistol permit.

Also, a state-certified instructor must be in charge of the permit application.

What Is The Processing Period For Pistol Permits In New Jersey?

The processing period for a pistol permit application in New Jersey is sixty days.

Does New Jersey Have Ammunition And Firearm Restrictions?

Yes, the state prohibits assault weapons like machine guns and semi-automatic firearms except for federally licensed individuals.

The state also prohibits firearm magazines with more than ten round ammunition and hollow point and armor-piercing bullets.

Is New Jersey A Preemption Gun Law State?

Yes, the state government reserves all rights for the possession and regulation of firearms in the state.

Do I Need A New Jersey Pistol Permit To Hunt?

No, with or without a pistol permit, you cannot conceal carry a handgun while hunting in the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Possession Of Firearms In New Jersey?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to apply for a pistol permit in New Jersey.

Relevant Gun Permit Laws And Legislature In New Jersey

New Jersey gun laws that concern the possession of firearms in the state and use of pistol permit include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles

You can carry firearms in your vehicle if you have a New Jersey pistol permit. The only way you can carry firearms without a license is to have a legal purpose of doing so.

The legal purpose, according to New Jersey pistol permit include the following:

  • If you are transporting newly bought firearms to your home from a dealer’s shop.
  • If you are taking a malfunctioning firearm to the repairer’s shop.
  • Transporting to and fro from a gun range or firearm training.
  • While carrying a firearm in your vehicle without a pistol permit, the gun must be safe such that it is not loaded, and it is encased.

Also, make sure that the firearm is not accessible from the passenger area of the vehicle.

New Jersey prohibits carrying a firearm in a glove box in a vehicle even if you lock it.

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas

You can possess firearms in roadside areas of New Jersey if you have a gun license.

Possession Of Firearms In State Parks Forests And Wildlife Management Areas

According to the statute, [NJ Admin. Code § 7:2-2.17(b)], you can possess firearms in state and national wildlife management areas if you have a gun license.

However, you cannot possess firearms in state parks.

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurant And Bar Areas Of The State

There is no prohibition of firearms in restaurant and bar areas of New Jersey as long as you are a pistol permit holder. However, the only exception is if there is a post prohibiting such.

Possession Of Firearms In Hotels

There are no gun statutes in the state that prohibits the possession of firearms in the state.

New Jersey allows hotel management to develop policies for the regulation of firearms in the state.

Therefore, you have to visit hotel websites for more information about their regulations.

Additional Resources

New Jersey Gun Laws
New Jersey Concealed Carry Laws
New Jersey Open Carry Laws

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