New Jersey State Law Summary

Last updated May 4, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. New Jersey ranked 2 out of 50 – having enacted nearly the strongest gun violence prevention legislation in the nation.  Among other things, New Jersey:

• Requires permits for the purchase of any handgun, as well as a separate permit for persons purchasing long guns, both requiring a background check prior to issuance;

• Provides law enforcement discretion when issuing permits to carry concealed weapons;

• Prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and by persons subject to protective orders;

• Requires the licensing of all firearms dealers and their employees;

• Limits the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Imposes a waiting period prior to the physical transfer of a handgun;

• Will require the sale of personalized handguns once such technology is available for retail sale;

• Prohibits the possession and transfer of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines;

• Requires firearm owners to report the loss or theft of their firearms; and

• Requires all firearms dealers and ammunition sellers to maintain records of all acquisitions and dispositions of firearms and ammunition.

New Jersey does not, however:

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of 50 caliber rifles;

• Prohibit the open carrying of firearms in public (lawful if the possessor has a permit); or

• Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in New Jersey have broad authority to regulate firearms and ammunition.

New Jersey ranks 45th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita.  In 2007, 446 people died from firearm-related injuries in New Jersey. In 2009, New Jersey supplied the third lowest number of crime guns to other states per capita. New Jersey imports far more crime guns than it exports.

For details about specific firearms laws in New Jersey, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
State Links