New Jersey has stringent gun laws that you must completely comply with before you use firearms in the state.

It also does not accept permits from any other state in the country.

You must be familiar with gun laws related to open carry in the state if you intend to use your firearm openly.

New Jersey Gun Laws Summary

New jersey issues permit to carry for the possession of firearms in the state.

The police department in a local municipality is in charge of permit applications, and the state has a May-issue policy.

You also need purchase permits to buy firearms in New Jersey. The federally licensed dealer will also use this permit to complete a mandatory criminal record background check.

It is also compulsory to get a firearm identification card.

New Jersey issues permit both residents and non-residents that qualify for one, and you must be at least twenty-one years old before applying for the state Permit to carry.

Is It Legal To Open Carry In New Jersey?

Yes, it is. However, you must be at least twenty-one years old, and you must not have any state restriction or federal prohibition to make use of firearms.

Open Carry Laws In New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the open carry licensed states in the USA. This means that you need a license to open carry in the state.

To use firearms like machine guns and automatic weapons, you must get a license from a judge.

The state prohibits hollow-point and armor-piercing ammunition.

New Jersey Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoYesIt is compulsory to own a permit to carry a handgun before you open carry in New Jersey.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoYou do not have to register firearms for open carry in the state except you want to make use of machine guns and semi-automatic weapons.
Assault weapon for open carry.YesNoYou can make use of weapons like machine guns and other similar firearms if you have a federal license to use one or you are a law enforcement officer.
Magazine limitYesYesYour firearm must not contain any magazine with more than ten rounds.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredThere are no requirements to own a license for a firearm in the state. However, every new handgun must undergo registration before usage.
Red flag lawYesYesFamily members and law enforcement officers can file a petition against the use of firearms in the state if they consider an individual unfit to use one.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesNew Jersey has castle doctrine laws in dwelling places with no duty to retreat and a stand your ground policy.
Background check for private dealersYesYesA background check is compulsory while purchasing firearms in the state, and private dealers can compete for the check via a federally licensed dealer in the state.
PreemptionYesYesNew Jersey is a preemption gun law state, and local areas are under the federal regulations of firearms.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou must own a concealed carry permit before you can conceal carry in the state.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in your personal vehicle if you have your permit with you, and the firearm is out of public view.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoNew Jersey gun laws prohibit open carry in schools, colleges, universities, and other technical institutions. 

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In New Jersey?

New Jersey gun laws allow the possession of firearms and open carry in the following parts of the state.

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in restaurant areas of the state as long as no posts are prohibiting such acts.
  • Personal vehicle: You can open carry and possess a firearm in your car.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry in roadside areas of the state.
  • Personal property: You can open carry in any property or building that you own either by buying, leasing, or renting.
  • Places of worship: You can open carry in places of worship as long as the management does not prohibit it.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In New Jersey?

New Jersey prohibits the possession of firearms in the following areas of the state:

  • Schools: You are not allowed to open carry in schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions of the state.
  • Casinos: You cannot open carry in casinos that have a license to operate in the state.
  • Parks: You cannot possess a firearm in state parks.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in places prohibited by state and federal laws.

FAQs About Open Carry New Jersey

Some of New Jersey most frequently asked questions about open carry and related practices include the following:

Do I Need A Permit to Open Carry In New Jersey?

Yes. You can only open carry in New Jersey if you have the permit to carry.

Do I Need A Separate Permit For Concealed Carry And Open Carry In New Jersey?

No. The same permit to carry is available for both open carry and concealed carry in New Jersey.

What is New Jersey Age Requirement For Open Carry?

To open carry in the state, you must be at least twenty-one years old.

At What Age Can I Conceal Carry In New Jersey?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to conceal carry in New Jersey.

At What Age Can I Apply For New Jersey Permit To Carry?

The minimum age requirement to apply for New Jersey permit to carry is twenty-one years old.

Is New Jersey A Red Flag Law State?

Yes. Members of a family or a household and law enforcement officers can file a petition against anyone that is a threat for a law court to issue a protection order, prohibiting the use and acquisition of firearms in the state.

Is New Jersey Permit To Use Firearms Available For Non-residents Of The State?

Yes. Non-residents can apply for the state permit to carry a firearm as long as they meet all requirements to do so.

This is the only way to possess a firearm as a non-resident in New Jersey because it does not honor permits from any other state in the nation.

Does New Jersey Allow Constitutional Carry In The State?

No. New Jersey does not permit constitutional carry in the state.

Is It Possible To Open Carry Knives In New Jersey?

You can open carry knives and other weapons in the state as long as you do not have them in your possession for an illegal reason.

However, felons and mentally impaired people cannot possess weapons or any firearm type in the state.

Can I Conceal Carry Knives In New Jersey?

Yes, the state allows concealed carry of knives and other weapons, but this does not include restricted places like schools.

Also, municipalities may adopt laws to regulate the use of weapons in the state.

Does New Jersey Restrict The Possession Of Some Firearms In The State?

The use of machine guns, semi-automatic firearms, and similar weapons in the state is illegal, except you own a license to possess such firearms.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In New Jersey?

Yes. You must own a New Jersey purchase permit for the type of firearm you want to buy in the state.

Is It Compulsory To Complete Criminal Record background Check Before Purchasing A Firearm In New Jersey?

Yes, this is done with your New Jersey permit to purchase a firearm when you are buying from a federally licensed dealer.

For How Long Is New Jersey Permit To Purchase Valid?  

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

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In New Jersey?

No, gun law statutes in New Jersey does not require anybody to notify law enforcement officers about the possession of firearms.

Is New Jersey A Castle Doctrine State?

Yes, New Jersey gun laws state that there is no duty to retreat an illegal act in one’s dwelling place.

Therefore, you can stand your ground against any form of attack in your home of residence.

Am I Allowed To Use Deadly Force For Self Defense In New Jersey?

Yes. You can make use of deadly force during self-defense or while exercising your castle doctrine duties.

But the state only accepts deadly force as a measure of self-defense against an unlawful attack that can lead to injury or imminent death in the state.

Must I Complete a Firearm Training Class Before I Apply For New Jersey Permit To Carry?

Yes. You must complete a firearm training and demonstrate familiarity before applying for the state permit.

Is It Important To Register Firearms After Purchase In New Jersey?

It is compulsory to register handguns bought in the state, but other firearms are registered voluntarily.  

At What Age Can I Purchase Firearms In New Jersey?

The minimum age requirement to buy transport and possess firearms in New Jersey is twenty-one years old.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In New Jersey

New Jersey firearm laws that you must know before you begin to open carry in the state include the following:

Magazine Limits

The magazine limit for firearms in New Jersey is ten rounds. The state also prohibits large-capacity firearms.

The exemptions to firearm magazine limit in the state include:

  • Members of the United States Armed Forces posted to the state.
  • Law enforcement officers.
  • Sportspeople who need the firearm for shooting competitions, sanctioned by the department of the army in New Jersey.

Ammunition Restrictions

New Jersey prohibits the use of firearms ammunition with hollow point and armor-piercing.

But hollow pointed firearms are mostly used for shooting competitions in the state. Therefore there are exceptions for possessing them in residences and during transportations after purchase.

There are also firearm restriction exceptions for:

  • Members of any gun club or association recognized by the National Board for Promotion of Rifle Practice.
  • Anyone taking part in a licensed hunting activity or during firearm training or target practice on a range.
  • A person on his or her way to a place legally used for firearm practice, sports competition, or shooting shows.

Preemption Gun Laws

New Jersey preempts gun laws in the state, with the state government having the power to restrict and regulate firearms in local municipalities or districts.

Brandishing Of Firearms

A person who deliberately causes a public disturbance or behaves in reckless behavior that can lead to violence is guilty of a disorderly offense in New Jersey.

A person who used firearms in an illegal way that puts another person in the risk of bodily injury or death is guilty of assault.

The only exception to this is during self-defense.

Red Flag Law

A family member or law enforcement officer can submit a petition to a court of law to issue a protection or restriction order to someone who is considered a threat with a firearm.

The court will then prohibit such a person from handling, possessing, buying, or selling firearms in the state.

Open Carry While Hunting

You can open carry while hunting in the state. However, during archery season, you cannot open carry or possess firearms.

New Jersey firearm harassment law includes the following:

  • Nobody shall impede or attempt to restrict the movement of someone that is taking part in the legal hunting of firearms.
  • Nobody shall make a barrier to deny entry and exit in any part of wildlife licensed for hunting activities to take place.
  • Nobody shall try to make any illegal physical contact with a person licensed to carry out hunting.
  • Nobody shall take part in any attempt to rob or destroy any property meant for hunting in the state.
  • Nobody shall disturb or try to alter the typical setting of a property licensed for lawful hunting activity.
  • Nobody shall trespass on any public or private land or water meant for hunting activity without gaining permission from the owner or the appropriate authority before doing so.
  • Nobody shall cause any disturbance to make gestures that annoy or prevent anybody from engaging in lawful hunting activity.
  • Nobody shall put himself or herself in the way of a fire while during legal hunting sessions.

Additional Resources

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

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