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1. Can I apply for a New Jersey Firearms ID Card or permit to purchase a handgun if I am not a US citizen?

Yes. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you may still apply for an ID card or permit to purchase a handgun.

2. Can I apply for a NJ Firearms ID Card or Permit to purchase a handgun if I live out of state?

If you live outside of New Jersey and want a Firearms ID card, you may apply at your closest New Jersey State Police barracks. You may not apply for a permit to purchase a handgun in New Jersey. If you have dual-residence, refer to where you pay income tax and/or vote as your home state.

3. Can I borrow a gun?

In New Jersey, you may borrow a gun for hunting from the owner of that weapon for a period of no more than eight consecutive hours in a twenty-four hour period; however, you must not be restricted by any of the requirements that would prohibit you from purchasing a weapon yourself, and the weapon's owner must remain in close proximity to you and the weapon at all times.

4. Can I get a permit to carry a weapon?

If you reside in New Jersey, you must apply to the municipal police department where you reside. If the municipality where you reside is serviced by the New Jersey State Police, you must apply at the barracks which covers your municipality. Out of state residents must apply to the New Jersey Police barracks nearest to their geographic location. Armored car employees must apply to the New Jersey State Police, regardless of where they reside. New Jersey does not have laws which allow individuals with valid carry permits from other states to carry a handgun in New Jersey.

5. Can I purchase a weapon outside of New Jersey?

You may not purchase any weapons from any person or shop outside of New Jersey. If you desire a weapon for sale out of state, that weapon would have to be transferred or sold to a federally licensed dealer in New Jersey for you to then purchase from them.

6. If I inherit a firearm, what must I do?

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3j, a firearm purchaser identification card and/or handgun purchase permit shall not be required for the passing of a firearm upon the death of another thereof to his/her heir or legatee, whether the same be by testamentary bequest or by the laws of intestacy. The person who shall so receive, or acquire said firearm shall, however, be subject to all other provisions of this chapter. 

If the heir or legatee of such firearm does not qualify to possess or carry it, he may retain ownership of the firearm for the purpose of sale for a period not exceeding 180 days, or for such further limited period as may be approved by the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the heir or legatee resides or the superintendent, provided that such firearm is in the custody of the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality or the superintendent during such period.

7. What are the laws regarding assault weapons?

Assault weapons, as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1w, are prohibited in New Jersey at all times. You must apply to your County Prosecutor’s Office for a permit to obtain assault weapons. For more information on what an assault weapon is, you may call or email the firearms investigator, check the New Jersey State Police website, or review the aforementioned statute available online.

8. What are the laws regarding high capacity magazines?

High-capacity magazines are illegal unless there is a permanent block welded or similar to comply with the law. High-capacity is a magazine that holds 16 or more rounds.

9. What are the requirements to apply for all applicants?

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3: Purchase of Firearms

• A Permit to Purchase a Handgun: No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of, nor receive, purchase or otherwise acquire a handgun unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver or holder is licensed as a dealer under this chapter or has first secured a permit to purchase a handgun as provided by this section.
• Firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of nor receive, purchase or otherwise acquire an antique cannon or a rifle or shotgun, other than an antique rifle or shotgun, unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver or holder is licensed as a dealer under this chapter or possesses a valid firearms purchaser identification card, and first exhibits said card to the seller, donor, transferor or assignor, and unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver or holder signs a written certification, on a form prescribed by the superintendent, which shall indicate that he presently complies with the requirements of subsection c. of this section and shall contain his name, address and firearms purchaser identification card number or dealer's registration number. The said certification shall be retained by the seller, as provided in paragraph (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.A. 2C:58-2, or, in the case of a person who is not a dealer, it may be filed with the chief of police of the municipality in which he resides or with the superintendent.
• Who may obtain. No person of good character and good repute in the community in which he lives, and who is not subject to any of the disabilities set forth in this section or other sections of this chapter, shall be denied a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card, except as hereinafter set forth. No handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card shall be issued:
  • To any person who has been convicted of any crime, or a disorderly persons offense involving an act of domestic violence as defined in section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C. 2C:25-19), whether or not armed with or possessing a weapon at the time of such offense;
  • To any drug dependent person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C. 24:21-2), to any person who is confined for a mental disorder to a hospital, mental institution or sanitarium, or to any person who is presently an habitual drunkard;
  • To any person who suffers from a physical defect or disease which would make it unsafe for him to handle firearms, to any person who has ever been confined for a mental disorder, or to any alcoholic unless any of the foregoing persons produces a certificate of a medical doctor or psychiatrist licensed in New Jersey, or other satisfactory proof, that he is no longer suffering from that particular disability in such a manner that would interfere with or handicap him in the handling of firearms; to any person who knowingly falsifies any information on the application form for a handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card;
  • To any person under the age of 18 years for a firearms purchaser identification card and to any person under the age of 21 years for a permit to purchase a handgun;
  • To any person where the issuance would not be in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare;
  • To any person who is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C. 2C:25-17, et seq.) prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm;
  • To any person who as a juvenile was adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime and the offense involved the unlawful use or possession of a weapon, explosive or destructive device or is enumerated in subsection d. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C. 2C:43-7.2); or
  • To any person whose firearm is seized pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C. 2C:25-17, et seq.) and whose firearm has not been returned.

10. What are the requirements to purchase a handgun?

Persons wanting to purchase a handgun (including BB gun) or handgun frame must apply for a Permit to Purchase a Handgun and must be 21 years old.

11. What are the requirements to purchase a rifle?

Persons wanting to purchase rifles (including black powder, BB and pellet) and shotguns must show a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification card plus one additional form of photo identification and complete a Certificate of Eligibility. The information contained on the Firearms Purchaser Identification card must match the identification of the transferor. A Certificate of Eligibility can be obtained at any licensed firearms dealer, or the NJSP website.

12. Where can I purchase a weapon?

You may purchase weapons at any federally or state licensed gun shop within New Jersey or any private citizen.

13. What are FARS Recommended Reasons for Denial?

FARS Recommendations for Denial

No handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card shall be issued if any of the following apply to you:

1.    To any person who has been convicted of any crime, or a disorderly persons offense involving an act of domestic violence. Deny for any DV Conviction.

2.    Deny if CONVICTED of a Felony (1st-4th degree crime) or out of state equivalent, which is any CONVICTION that could have resulted in a sentence of more than 6 months in jail (This may include misdemeanors). 

3.    Any drug dependent person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-2), to any person who was confined for a mental disorder to a hospital, mental institution or sanitarium, or to any person who is presently a habitual drunkard.

4.    To any person who suffers from a physical defect or disease which would make it unsafe for that person to handle firearms, to any person who has ever been confined for a mental disorder, or to any alcoholic unless any of the foregoing persons produces a certificate of a medical doctor or psychiatrist licensed in New Jersey, or other satisfactory proof, that he/she is no longer suffering from that particular disability in a manner that would interfere with or handicap him/her in the handling of firearms; 

5.    To any person who knowingly falsifies any information on the application form for a handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card; 

6.    To any person under the age of 18 years for a firearms purchaser identification card and to any person under the age of 21 years for a permit to purchase a handgun.

7.    To any person where the issuance would not be in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare.

8.    To any person who is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17, et seq.) prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm.

9.    To any person who, as a juvenile, was adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime and the offense involved the unlawful use or possession of a weapon, explosive or destructive device or is enumerated in subsection d. of section 2 of P.L.1997, c.117 (C.2C:43-7.2).

10.  To any person whose firearm is seized pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17, et seq.) and whose firearm has not been returned.

11.  To any person who is subject to a court order prohibiting the custody, control, ownership, purchase, possession, or receipt of a firearm or ammunition issued pursuant to the "Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018," P.L.2018, c.35 (C.2C:58-20, et al.).