New Jersey Gun Laws

New Jersey does not have constitutional or permitless carry. Carrying a handgun in public requires a Permit to Carry a Handgun issued under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4. Possession of a handgun without the required permit is a second-degree crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b).

"Any person who holds a valid permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to this section shall be authorized to carry a handgun in a holster concealed on their person in all parts of this State, except as prohibited."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b); 2C:58-4 statute

Applicants for a Permit to Carry a Handgun (PCH) must be 21 or older, complete fingerprinting, submit four reputable character references unrelated by blood or law who have known the applicant for at least three years, complete a State-Police-approved training curriculum (online + in-person classroom + range qualification), maintain $300,000 in liability insurance, and pay a $200 application fee. The permit is valid for two years and authorizes concealed carry statewide except in 'sensitive places.'

"All permits to carry handguns shall expire two years from the date of issuance... and they may thereafter be renewed every two years in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as in the case of original applications."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 (as amended by P.L.2022, c.131, § 3) statute

The PCH application must be endorsed by not less than four reputable persons unrelated by blood or law to the applicant who have known the applicant for at least three years and who certify the applicant is not likely to engage in conduct that would pose a danger. Each application is accompanied by a $200 fee ($150 retained by the municipality if filed with the chief police officer; $50 forwarded to the State Police).

"The application shall be signed by the applicant under oath, and shall be endorsed by not less than four reputable persons who are not related by blood or by law to the applicant and have known the applicant for at least three years preceding the date of application."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(b)-(c) (P.L.2022, c.131) statute

Every private citizen who carries a handgun in public must maintain liability insurance coverage in an amount of at least $300,000 against loss arising from the ownership, maintenance, operation, or use of the firearm. (Note: A Third Circuit panel found this requirement likely violated the Second Amendment on Sept. 10, 2025, but that opinion was vacated on Dec. 11, 2025 when en banc rehearing was granted; the requirement is currently in force pending en banc decision.)

"Every private citizen who carries a handgun in public in this State shall maintain liability insurance coverage insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, and property damage... at least in an amount or limit of $300,000."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.3 (P.L.2022, c.131, § 4) statute

On June 24, 2022 — two days after NYSRPA v. Bruen — Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued Directive 2022-07, instructing all NJ law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to stop applying the 'justifiable need' requirement but to continue enforcing all other statutory eligibility requirements for permits to carry, including the disability list at N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c)(1)-(11), the firearms-familiarity requirement at N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4(b), and the three-reference (now four under c.131) good-moral-character endorsement.

"The decision in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. Bruen, No. 20-843, prevents us from continuing to require a demonstration of justifiable need in order to carry a firearm, but it does not prevent us from enforcing the other requirements in our law."

AG Law Enforcement Directive No. 2022-07 ag

N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4 prescribes the application form, investigation procedure, and firearms-familiarity demonstration that the State Police Superintendent and local police chiefs follow when adjudicating Permits to Carry. Subsection (b) is the regulatory hook for the firearms-familiarity / qualification requirement that AG Directive 2022-07 expressly preserves post-Bruen.

N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4 (Permit to Carry application and investigation) ag

Open carry of a handgun is not authorized. N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(a), as amended by P.L.2022, c.131, authorizes only concealed carry in a holster; the statute treats a 'brief, incidental exposure of a handgun while transferring it to or from a holster or due to the shifting of the person's body position or clothing' as a de minimis infraction.

"shall not be construed to authorize a holder to carry a handgun openly, provided that a brief, incidental exposure of a handgun while transferring it to or from a holster or due to the shifting of the person's body position or clothing shall be deemed a de minimis infraction."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(a) (as amended by P.L.2022, c.131, § 3) statute

A person otherwise authorized to carry or transport a firearm — including a Permit to Carry holder — may not do so in a vehicle in New Jersey unless the handgun is unloaded and contained in a closed and securely fastened case, gunbox, or locked unloaded in the trunk of the vehicle. A permit holder also may not leave a handgun in a parked vehicle outside immediate possession or control unless similarly stored and not visible from outside the vehicle. Violation is a fourth-degree crime.

"shall not do so while in a vehicle in New Jersey, unless the handgun is unloaded and contained in a closed and securely fastened case, gunbox, or locked unloaded in the trunk of the vehicle."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6(b) (P.L.2022, c.131, § 7) statute

Outside the permit-to-carry context, firearms transported under the personal-self-defense or transportation exceptions of 2C:39-6 must be unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, locked unloaded in the trunk, or carried securely and not be readily accessible from the passenger compartment. New Jersey has no general 'glove box' or 'console' loaded-firearm exception.

"shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6(g) statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6(f) creates a transport-only exception to the hollow-nose ammunition prohibition: a person may carry hollow-nose ammunition between their dwelling and an authorized target range, between their dwelling and a place of purchase or repair, and while engaged in lawful hunting or competitive target shooting, provided the ammunition is being transported in a manner consistent with the firearms transport rules of 2C:39-6(g).

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6(f) (hollow-nose ammunition transport exception) statute

New Jersey does not recognize handgun carry permits issued by any other state. A non-resident who wishes to carry in New Jersey must apply for a New Jersey Permit to Carry Handgun under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 (with applications made to the Superintendent of State Police when the applicant does not reside in New Jersey). New Jersey does not publish an official outbound reciprocity matrix; coverage by other shall-issue states is sparse and varies because most jurisdictions' lists do not include NJ permits.

"the superintendent if: ... (3) the applicant does not reside in this State."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 — NJ recognizes no out-of-state carry permit statute

New Jersey codifies a castle-doctrine exception to its general duty to retreat: a person is not required to retreat from his or her dwelling before using deadly force in self-defense, unless the actor was the initial aggressor. The exception applies inside the dwelling only, not on the curtilage or in a vehicle.

"The actor is not obliged to retreat from his dwelling, unless he was the initial aggressor."

N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(b)(2)(b)(i) statute

New Jersey is NOT a stand-your-ground state. The use of deadly force is not justifiable if the actor knows that he can avoid the necessity of using such force with complete safety by retreating, except when in the actor's own dwelling. The duty to retreat applies in public and other locations where retreat can be made with complete safety.

"The use of deadly force is not justifiable... if the actor knows that he can avoid the necessity of using such force with complete safety by retreating."

N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(b)(2)(b) statute

New Jersey Permit to Carry Handgun holders must immediately disclose to law enforcement during any official interaction (e.g., traffic stop) that they are carrying a handgun and must produce the permit on request. This duty to disclose is reflected in NJSP carry permit guidance and in AG Directive 2022-07 implementation materials. New Jersey is widely tracked as a 'must inform immediately' state.

"If stopped or detained, a private citizen must disclose to law enforcement that they are in possession of a firearm and must produce a permit to carry."

AG Law Enforcement Directive 2022-07 (PCH disclosure); NJSP Concealed Carry Permit guidance ag

Carrying a firearm — even with a valid permit — in any of 25 enumerated 'sensitive places' is a third-degree crime; carrying a destructive device there is a second-degree crime. The list includes government administration buildings, courthouses, correctional facilities, polling places, public gatherings under government permit (within 100 ft), schools and universities, child care, parks designated as gun-free, libraries, bars and restaurants serving alcohol, cannabis retailers, entertainment facilities, casinos, energy plants, airports and transit hubs, health care facilities, addiction/mental health facilities, and private property without owner consent.

"it shall be a crime of the third degree for any person... to knowingly carry a firearm as defined in subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 and a crime of the second degree to knowingly possess a destructive device... in any of the following places."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6(a) (P.L.2022, c.131, § 7) statute

On September 10, 2025, a Third Circuit panel (Krause, Porter, Chung, JJ.) reviewed preliminary-injunction rulings on Chapter 131. The panel agreed with New Jersey 'for the most part' and upheld bans on carrying firearms at permitted public events, schools, day cares, public parks/beaches, youth sports events, libraries and museums, bars and entertainment venues, casinos, health care facilities, and similar locations, while finding the liability insurance requirement, the vehicle storage requirement, and the default-prohibition for private property open to the public likely violate the Second Amendment. The full Third Circuit granted en banc rehearing on December 11, 2025, vacating the panel opinion; the en banc argument was held February 11, 2026 and no en banc decision had issued by mid-2026.

"For the most part, we agree with New Jersey and join our sister circuits that have upheld similar sensitive-places laws."

Koons v. Attorney General New Jersey, Nos. 23-1900 & 23-2043 (3d Cir. Sept. 10, 2025) (vacated by en banc grant Dec. 11, 2025) court

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f) makes knowing possession of any hollow-nose or dum-dum bullet — or any body-armor-piercing, armor-piercing, or fluorocarbon-coated bullet — a fourth-degree crime, subject to the exceptions in 2C:39-3(g) and 2C:39-6(f).

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f) (hollow-nose / dum-dum ammunition) statute

Subsection 2C:39-3(g)(2) provides that the prohibition on hollow-nose bullets does not apply to a person who keeps or carries such ammunition about his or her place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed by him or her.

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(g)(2) (hollow-nose exception — dwelling or land) statute

New Jersey requires universal background checks for handgun transfers. A non-licensed person who transfers or acquires a handgun must conduct the transaction through a licensed retail dealer, who then completes a NICS check on the acquirer (with limited exceptions for immediate family, law enforcement, federally licensed C&R collectors, and certain temporary transfers). FPIC and Permit to Purchase a Handgun applications independently require state-level background checks.

"A person who is not a licensed retail dealer and sells, gives, transfers, assigns, or otherwise disposes of, or receives, purchases or otherwise acquires a handgun pursuant to this section shall conduct the transaction through a licensed retail dealer."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(a)(2)-(3) (as amended by P.L.2022, c.131, § 1) statute

The NJ Administrative Code (Title 13, Chapter 54) implements the firearms permitting statutes — covering FPIC issuance, handgun purchase permits, retail dealer licensing, and carry-permit administration. Among other things, N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4 governs the application process and required investigations for permits to carry.

"Firearms and Weapons"

N.J.A.C. 13:54 — NJ Administrative Code, Firearms and Weapons ag

Federal law requires that handguns be purchased from a federally licensed dealer only by buyers 21 or older, and long guns at 18. New Jersey applies the same minimums by statute: no Permit to Purchase a Handgun may be issued to anyone under 21, and no Firearms Purchaser Identification Card may be issued to anyone under 18 (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c)(4)). NJ has no lower minimum.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal); N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c)(4) (NJ) atf

New Jersey statute mirrors federal age minimums and codifies them as ineligibility grounds for the FPIC and Permit to Purchase a Handgun: '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 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."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c)(4) (P.L.2022, c.131, § 1) statute

New Jersey does not maintain a general firearm registry, but the permit-to-purchase regime creates de facto registration: a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun is required for each handgun acquired by a private individual, and only one handgun may be purchased within any 30-day period. Long-gun purchases require a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. Pre-May 1990 assault firearms required registration with the Superintendent of State Police by 1991; later acquisitions are prohibited.

"Only one handgun shall be purchased or delivered on each permit and no more than one handgun shall be purchased within any 30-day period."

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 (handgun purchase permit); 2C:58-12 (assault firearm registration, 1990 cutoff) statute

New Jersey enacted the Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018 (P.L.2018, c.35), codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 through 2C:58-32, effective September 1, 2019. The law allows a law enforcement officer or family or household member to petition for a temporary or final ERPO requiring the respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition for the duration of the order.

"Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018"

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 et seq. — Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018 (P.L.2018, c.35) statute

New Jersey prohibits civilian possession, sale, and transfer of 'assault firearms.' The statute defines assault firearm by (a) a list of more than 50 specifically named makes/models and their substantial equivalents, (b) any semi-automatic shotgun with a magazine capacity over six rounds, a pistol grip, or a folding stock, and (c) any semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity over 10 rounds. Pre-May 1, 1990 assault firearms could be registered for limited continued possession.

"'Assault firearm' means: (1) [enumerated firearms and copies]; (2) A semi-automatic shotgun with either a magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, a pistol grip, or a folding stock; (3) A semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w) (definition); 2C:39-5(f) (possession) statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-12 provided a one-time registration mechanism for assault firearms lawfully possessed before May 1, 1990. Owners had until May 1, 1991 to register the firearm with the Superintendent of State Police, render it inoperable, or transfer it to an authorized recipient; unregistered post-deadline possession became a third-degree crime under 2C:39-5(f).

N.J.S.A. 2C:58-12 (pre-1990 assault firearm registration) statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(f) makes knowing possession of an assault firearm a second-degree crime, except in the case of a person who has registered the firearm under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-12 or who is otherwise authorized by law. This is the operative criminal offense for the assault-firearm ban whose definitional list lives at 2C:39-1(w).

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(f) (assault firearm possession) statute

Public Law 2018, Chapter 39 reduced the New Jersey magazine capacity limit from 15 to 10 rounds. A 'large capacity ammunition magazine' is a box, drum, tube, or other container capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly into a semi-automatic firearm. Knowing possession is a fourth-degree crime. Active-duty law enforcement may possess magazines up to 15 rounds off-duty.

"'Large capacity ammunition magazine' means a box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y); 2C:39-3(j) (P.L.2018, c.39) statute

In Ass'n of N.J. Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Attorney General, the Third Circuit affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction against New Jersey's reduced 10-round magazine limit (P.L.2018, c.39), holding that the law did not facially violate the Second Amendment or Fifth Amendment Takings Clause. The decision predates Bruen but remains binding circuit precedent for the magazine limit's validity unless and until a subsequent ruling disturbs it.

"the Act reasonably fits the State's interest in promoting public safety and does not unconstitutionally burden the Second Amendment."

Ass'n of N.J. Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. v. Att'y Gen. N.J., 910 F.3d 106 (3d Cir. 2018) court

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

New Jersey law prohibits civilian possession of firearm silencers (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(c) — fourth-degree crime) and machine guns (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(a) — second-degree crime). Short-barreled shotguns (sawed-off shotguns) are also prohibited under 2C:39-3(b). New Jersey has no statutory exception that recognizes federal NFA compliance as a defense, so private NFA ownership of these items is generally barred in New Jersey regardless of federal registration.

"Any person who knowingly has in his possession any firearm silencer is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree."

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3 (silencers/SBRs); 2C:39-1(i) (machine gun); 2C:39-5(a) (machine gun possession) statute

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(b) makes knowing possession of any sawed-off shotgun a third-degree crime. New Jersey has no statutory NFA-compliance defense, so a federally registered short-barreled shotgun remains unlawful to possess in New Jersey.

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(b) (sawed-off shotgun possession) statute

New Jersey state law generally preempts the field of firearm regulation as a matter of state-law doctrine and N.J.S.A. 2C:1-5(d), which prohibits local governments from enacting penal ordinances inconsistent with the state penal code. Local governments may still regulate firearms ranges, discharge of firearms within boundaries, and other limited collateral matters not occupied by state law.

"No local unit shall enact any ordinance, resolution, regulation or rule on the subject of any offense defined by this code."

N.J.S.A. 2C:1-5(d); judicial precedent statute

Public Law 2022, Chapter 131 was New Jersey's principal post-Bruen response. It eliminated the 'justifiable need' carry standard, increased the carry permit fee from $50 to $200, required four (rather than three) character references, added a comprehensive in-person training and qualification requirement, mandated $300,000 in liability insurance for any private carry, and enacted N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6 prohibiting carry in 25 enumerated 'sensitive places.' Signed by Governor Murphy on December 22, 2022; most provisions effective immediately.

"AN ACT concerning permits to carry handguns, supplementing and amending various parts of the statutory law."

P.L. 2022, c.131 (A4769) — signed Dec. 22, 2022 statute

P.L. 2018, c.35 enacted the Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018 (codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 et seq.), allowing law enforcement officers or family/household members to petition for temporary and final orders requiring a respondent to surrender firearms based on risk. Effective September 1, 2019.

"Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018"

P.L. 2018, c.35 — Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2018 statute

P.L. 2018, c.39 reduced the New Jersey large-capacity ammunition magazine threshold from 15 rounds to 10 rounds (amending N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y) and 2C:39-3(j)) and reclassified semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines holding more than 10 rounds as 'assault firearms.' Approved June 13, 2018; effective immediately with a 180-day grace period for owners to comply.

"This act shall take effect immediately. Approved June 13, 2018."

P.L. 2018, c.39 — magazine limit reduced to 10 rounds statute

On July 5, 2022, Governor Murphy signed a multi-bill gun-safety package. P.L.2022, c.52 (S1204) requires new New Jersey residents to apply for a FPIC and register handguns within 60 days of taking residency. P.L.2022, c.55 (A1302) creates electronic reporting of handgun ammunition sales and updates retail-dealer recordkeeping. P.L.2022, c.56 (A1765) authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil public-nuisance actions against firearm industry members whose products are knowingly diverted to the illegal market.

"any person who becomes a New Jersey resident following the effective date of P.L.2022, c.52 and who transports a firearm... shall apply for a firearm purchaser identification card within 60 days."

P.L. 2022, c.52, c.55, c.56 — Murphy gun-safety package (signed July 5, 2022) statute

A Third Circuit panel (Krause, Porter, Chung, JJ.) upheld most of Chapter 131's 'sensitive places' restrictions while finding the $300,000 liability-insurance mandate, the vehicle storage requirement, and the default-prohibition for private property open to the public likely violated the Second Amendment. The full Third Circuit granted rehearing en banc on December 11, 2025 and VACATED the panel opinion; the en banc was argued February 11, 2026. As of June 2026, no en banc decision had issued, so Chapter 131 is in force in its entirety pending the en banc ruling.

Koons v. Attorney General N.J., Nos. 23-1900 & 23-2043 (3d Cir. Sept. 10, 2025) (vacated en banc Dec. 11, 2025)

Signed December 22, 2022 (most provisions effective immediately), Chapter 131 excised 'justifiable need' from N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4, raised the carry-permit fee from $50 to $200, increased character references from three to four, prescribed a State-Police-administered training and qualification curriculum, required $300,000 in liability insurance for any private public carry, and created 25 categories of 'sensitive places' under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6 where carry is prohibited even with a permit.

P.L. 2022, c.131 (A4769 ACS)

On July 5, 2022, Governor Murphy signed a multi-bill package: c.52 (S1204) requires new NJ residents to register handguns and apply for an FPIC within 60 days; c.55 (A1302) creates electronic reporting of handgun ammunition sales and updates retail-dealer recordkeeping; c.56 (A1765) authorizes the Attorney General to bring public-nuisance civil actions against firearm-industry members whose products are knowingly diverted to the illegal market.

P.L. 2022, c.52; c.55; c.56

Two days after NYSRPA v. Bruen, Acting AG Matthew Platkin directed all law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to stop applying the 'justifiable need' requirement but continue enforcing every other carry-permit eligibility requirement (disability list, training, three reputable-person endorsement, good moral character). The Directive remained in force until c.131 superseded its statutory framework on December 22, 2022.

AG Law Enforcement Directive No. 2022-07

Codified at N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 through 2C:58-32, the ERPO Act allows law enforcement officers and family or household members to petition for temporary and final orders requiring the respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition based on a finding of significant risk of harm to self or others.

P.L. 2018, c.35

New Jersey reduced the large-capacity ammunition magazine threshold from 15 rounds to 10 (amending N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y) and 2C:39-3(j)) and reclassified semi-auto rifles with fixed magazines over 10 rounds as 'assault firearms.' Approved June 13, 2018; effective immediately with a 180-day grace period.

P.L. 2018, c.39 (A2761)