Overview for New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the strictest states when it comes to gun control.
When traveling with a firearm it’s advisable to avoid New Jersey altogether if possible. The gun transport laws are very strict and even when the gun is stored in compliance with federal laws (unloaded, stored in a locked container, etc.) there can be issues.
New Jersey requires that citizens have a FID (Firearm Purchasers Identification card) before they can own any firearms. For more information on New Jersey’s firearms laws click here.
| Law | Long-guns | Handguns |
|---|---|---|
| Permit to Purchase | Yes | Yes |
| Open Carry | No | Yes |
| Concealed Carry | No | Yes |
| State Preemption of Local Restrictions | No | No |
| Firearm Registration | No | Yes |
| Owner License | No | No |
The Concealed Carry Permit
(often encompasses the open carry permit)
- Price: $20
- Valid for 2 years
- Regarding Non-residents of New Jersey: $20
- Non-resident permits are valid for 2 years
- An owner's license is Not Needed
- Permit to Purchase: Required for handguns only one handgun can be purchased per permit (long guns require an FID which cost $5 plus $57.50 for finger printing)
- Permits to Purchase Year/Cost: 90 days/$2 (plus $57.50 for buyers that have not been finger printed)
Official Concealed Carry page for New Jersey.
New Jersey Concealed Carry Reciprocity
New Jersey Magazine Capacity
There is an exception for large capacity magazine used in connection with participation in competitive shooting matches sanctioned by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship of the US Dept. of the Army
New Jersey Ghost Gun law
The Ghost gun law in New Jersey states the following:- New Jersey bans the purchasing of firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number and violation of the law is to be treated as a separate conviction from any other criminal offense with a separate sentence to be imposed.
- New Jersey also bans manufacturing or facilitating the manufacture of a firearm using a 3D printer, distributing to any person in New Jersey digital instructions for making a firearm with a 3D printer
- Manufacturing, causing to be manufactured, transporting, shipping, selling or disposing of covert or undetectable firearms is also illegal as is transporting, shipping, selling, or disposing of a manufactured firearm without a serial number
New Jersey Imitation Firearms
What is classified as an Imitation Firearm in New Jersey?
The following is a list of imitation firearms in New Jersey:
- air gun
- spring gun
- other weapon in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air with a bullet smaller than 3/8 in in diameter with sufficient force to injure a person
Does New Jersey have a gun buy back program?
Yes, New Jersey has a gun buy back program.
- previous buyback events sponsored by the NJ Attorney General
Does New Jersey have an inheritance gun law?
Yes, New Jersey has an inheritance gun law.