New Jersey Gun Laws
New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. If you are considering purchasing, possession, or selling firearms, it is important that you make yourself aware of New Jersey’s gun laws. Violating the state’s gun laws can lead to a criminal conviction that can carry serious penalties.
Permit Requirements
A person who wishes to sell, give, transfer, assign, dispose of, receive, purchase, or otherwise acquire a rifle or shotgun (except for an antique rifle or shotgun), must either be licensed as a dealer under New Jersey law or must possess a valid firearms purchaser identification permit . It is also illegal to have a rifle or shotgun in your possession without first obtaining a permit. It is legal to carry a firearm without a permit in your residence, place of business, or other property owned or possessed by you, or to carry an unloaded and secured firearm in the trunk of your vehicle between your residence and place of business, between residences or places of business, or to a firearms repair facility, or to a firing range as a member of a gun club. No permit is necessary to carry a firearm for hunting purposes provided you have a valid hunting license
Permit Applications
In order to apply for a firearms purchaser identification permit, you must fill out the appropriate state form, submitted along with two sets of fingerprints, a consent for a mental health records search, and the filing fees. You must also provide the names and addresses of two reputable citizens who are acquainted with you and who will serve as references. Permit applications are then reviewed and granted by the chief of police of the municipality where the applicant resides.
Prerequisites for being issued a permit include:
- At least 18 years old
- Not having been convicted of any crime
- Not drug dependent
- Not having been confined to an institution for a mental disorder
- Not being a habitual drunkard or alcoholic
- Not suffering from a physical defect or disease that would make it unsafe for a person to handle a firearm
- Not falsifying any information on the application form
- Waiving statutory or other rights of confidentiality relating to institutional confinement
There is no limit on the number of rifles or shotguns that may be purchased with a purchaser permit; however, only one handgun may be purchased per permit.
Carrying Handguns
Anyone who wishes to possess a handgun in New Jersey must obtain a permit to carry a handgun. Permits are issued by the chief of police of the municipality where the permit applicant lives, by the Superintendent, or by the trial court. An application for a permit may only be approved if the applicant:
- Is a person of good character who is not subject to any disabilities that would prevent him or her from obtaining a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification permit
- Has demonstrated he or she is familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns, such as through completion of a firearms training course or completion of a test administered by a certified firearms instructor
- Has demonstrated a justifiable need to carry a handgun
Restricted Firearms
New Jersey law also restricts the ownership of certain firearms, popularly called “assault firearms”, based on their appearance and use for military purposes. The New Jersey State Police maintains a list of firearms that fall within the category of “assault firearms” whose ownership is restricted by law.
Contact an Experienced Cherry Hill Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Gun Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with weapons offenses in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Gelman Law, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with gun charges in Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 861-4236 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 1940 W. Rte. 70, Suite 4, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
