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Last updated April 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW instructor tracking New Jersey’s post-Bruen Chapter 131 carry framework, the FARS portal FPIC process, and the ongoing Koons v. Platkin sensitive-places litigation
Disclaimer: This is an editorial round-up of New Jersey gun laws. We do our best to make sure it’s correct, but do not rely on this as legal advice. New Jersey firearms law is unusually complex and remains in active litigation. Consult a New Jersey-licensed firearms attorney for any specific question.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
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Intro
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws in 2026 are among the most restrictive in the country. A Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) is required to buy long guns or ammunition, and a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH) is required for each handgun under the “one gun a month” rule. Concealed Carry Permits became shall-issue post-Bruen via Chapter 131 of 2022, but the law also designated an extensive list of sensitive places. 10-round magazine cap under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y), no-grandfather assault weapons ban, red flag law (ERPO) since 2019, hollow-point restrictions, and duty to retreat outside the home under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4.
New Jersey gun laws (often searched as NJ gun laws) sit firmly in the most-restrictive tier alongside California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York. The state requires separate credentials for long guns versus handguns, runs its own background check regime through the New Jersey State Police, caps magazines at 10 rounds, bans a long list of “assault firearms,” and enforces a duty to retreat outside the home. Governor Phil Murphy signed Chapter 131 of the 2022 session on December 22, 2022 to reshape the carry framework after NYSRPA v. Bruen invalidated the state’s previous “justifiable need” standard.
The post-Bruen landscape is still contested. Chapter 131 replaced the justifiable need test with objective criteria — training, references, fingerprints, background check — but it also added an extensive list of “sensitive places” where permit holders still cannot carry. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued major rulings in Koons v. Platkin / Siegel v. Platkin in September 2025 largely upholding the sensitive-places framework while blocking the private-property default presumption. Ongoing litigation means the rules can shift mid-year.
Purchasing is also unusual. All FPIC applications and Permit to Purchase a Handgun applications now go through the state’s electronic FARS (Firearms Application and Registration System) portal. Processing is supposed to be statutory-deadline driven — 30 days for FPIC, 30 days for PPH — but real-world timelines vary significantly by municipality.
Whether you’re a New Jersey resident, moving here, or just passing through, this page covers the 2026 rules with statute citations and official sources.
New Jersey Gun Laws: The Highlights
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws require an FPIC for long guns and ammo, a Permit to Purchase a Handgun for each handgun (one per 30 days), a shall-issue Concealed Carry Permit post-Bruen, enforce a 10-round magazine cap and assault weapons ban, restrict hollow-point ammo, impose duty to retreat outside the home, and operate an Extreme Risk Protective Order red flag law.
- Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) required under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 for long gun and ammunition purchases. $50 fee. No expiration but can be revoked.
- Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH) required under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 for each handgun. $25 per permit, valid 90 days (extendable 90 more). One handgun per 30 days under the “one gun a month” rule.
- Concealed Carry Permit shall-issue post-Bruen under Chapter 131 of 2022. 16-hour training requirement, four references, fingerprints, background check, and psychological fitness assessment.
- Open carry effectively banned. There is no legal path to open carry a handgun in public in New Jersey.
- Universal background checks via FARS. All private transfers must be processed through a retail dealer or directly to a permit/FPIC holder through documented transfer under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3.
- 10-round magazine capacity cap under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y). Possession, sale, or transfer of a magazine over 10 rounds is a criminal offense.
- Assault weapons ban under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w). Broad name-and-feature test. Very limited grandfathering requirements for pre-1990 lawfully registered firearms.
- Extensive sensitive-places restrictions under Chapter 131 and the revised N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6. Most upheld by the Third Circuit in September 2025.
- Hollow-point ammunition restrictions. Legal to own at home or at the range, but cannot be carried in public except during direct transit between authorized locations under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f).
- Extreme Risk Protective Order red flag law under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 et seq., effective September 2019.
- Duty to retreat outside the home under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4. Castle Doctrine applies inside the home.
For the official state resource, see the New Jersey State Police FARS portal and the NJSP Firearms Unit page.
Key Information at a Glance
Key Information: New Jersey Gun Laws at a Glance (2026)
Fast answers first, with official sources at the bottom.
| Permitless Carry | No — Concealed Carry Permit required |
|---|---|
| Open Carry | Effectively banned |
| Concealed Carry | Shall-issue CCP post-Bruen (Chapter 131 of 2022), 21+ |
| Firearms Purchaser ID Card (FPIC) | Required for long guns and ammo (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3) |
| Permit to Purchase Handgun (PPH) | Required per handgun, 1 per 30 days |
| Background Checks | Universal (state POC via NJSP and FARS) |
| Waiting Period | Statutory 30-day processing window on FPIC and PPH applications |
| Firearm Registration | Not general; retail sales recorded; assault firearms registration required for grandfathered |
| Magazine Capacity Limits | 10 rounds (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y)) |
| Assault Weapon Ban | Yes (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w), 2C:39-5) |
| Red Flag Law | Yes (ERPO, N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 et seq.) |
| Hollow Point Ammunition | Restricted in public (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f)) |
| Stand Your Ground | No — duty to retreat outside home (N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4) |
| Castle Doctrine | Limited to dwelling (N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(c)) |
| State Preemption | Partial (N.J.S.A. 2C:1-5(d)) |
| NFA Items (Suppressors/SBRs) | Most prohibited at state level regardless of ATF approval |
Official New Jersey Resources
The Two-Tier Licensing System: FPIC and PPH
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws require a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) to buy long guns and ammunition, plus a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH) for each handgun. One handgun per 30 days. Both are processed through the NJSP FARS electronic portal under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3.
New Jersey’s licensing framework is unusual because it splits long gun and handgun purchases into two separate credential tracks. Both are required before you can legally acquire a firearm, and both are processed through the same online FARS system run by the New Jersey State Police.
- Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC). The FPIC in New Jersey is the foundation credential required for all long gun purchases and for buying ammunition of any caliber. $50 application fee. Fingerprints through IdentoGO. No expiration date, but can be revoked. Serves as lifetime credential for long gun purchases after issuance.
- Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH). The New Jersey Permit to Purchase a Handgun is required for each handgun acquired. $25 per permit. Valid 90 days, may be extended 90 more with request. Limit of one PPH issuance per 30-day period under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(i) — the “one gun a month” rule.
Applications go through the NJSP FARS online portal. Local chief of police (or the superintendent of State Police in towns without one) is the issuing authority. Statutory deadlines are 30 days for residents and 45 days for non-residents, though real-world processing often runs longer. A 2024 class-action lawsuit against New Jersey challenging the “one gun a month” rule remains pending.
Who Can Own a Gun in New Jersey?
TL;DR: Minimum age 21 for handguns and CCP, 18 for long guns with FPIC. Applicants must pass a detailed disqualifier review under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c), federal NICS, and state background checks. No felony convictions, no domestic violence history, no disqualifying mental health adjudications, not subject to a restraining order.
New Jersey maintains one of the most extensive lists of disqualifiers in the country. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c), you cannot obtain an FPIC or PPH if you fall into any of these categories:
- Under 21 for a handgun; under 18 for a long gun
- Any felony conviction (federal or state)
- Any conviction for domestic violence, stalking, or certain disorderly persons offenses
- History of mental hospital commitment or adjudication as mentally incompetent without subsequent rescission
- Current restraining order for domestic violence
- Physical defect that would make the person a danger to public safety
- Habitual drunkard or drug dependent
- Federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)
The New Jersey review extends beyond federal NICS. Local police chiefs have traditionally exercised discretion in denying applications for “interest of public health, safety or welfare,” though Chapter 131 narrowed that discretion considerably for Concealed Carry Permits.
Purchasing a Firearm in New Jersey
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws require both an FPIC and a Permit to Purchase a Handgun before you can complete a handgun sale. Long guns require only an FPIC. All transfers go through the FARS portal. Private sales must run through a retail dealer or be documented transfer between valid FPIC/PPH holders. Federal NICS runs at FFL time in addition to the NJSP state check.
Here’s the step-by-step for a first-time New Jersey buyer:
- Create a FARS account. The New Jersey State Police FARS portal is the single entry point for all firearms applications.
- Apply for your FPIC. $50 fee. Fingerprints via IdentoGO. Answer the statutory disqualifier questions. Wait for the issuing authority (local chief of police or NJSP) to process. Statutory deadline is 30 days for residents.
- For handguns: apply for a New Jersey Permit to Purchase a Handgun. $25 per permit. Each permit covers one handgun. Valid 90 days.
- Choose a licensed dealer. New Jersey requires all firearm transfers to be documented. For local shops, see our best gun stores in New Jersey guide.
- Complete ATF Form 4473 and state Form STS-033. The dealer runs a federal NICS check plus a state NICS check.
- Take delivery. Once both checks clear and your PPH is confirmed, you can complete the purchase. Remember: only one handgun per 30 days under the “one gun a month” rule.
Private sales in New Jersey must go through a retail dealer or be handled as a documented transfer between two individuals who both hold valid permits/FPICs. Informal cash-and-carry private transfers are illegal under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(a). The FARS portal supports documented transfers.
New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) Post-Bruen
TL;DR: New Jersey concealed carry shifted to shall-issue under Chapter 131 of 2022, enacted December 22, 2022 by Governor Phil Murphy in response to NYSRPA v. Bruen. Requirements include 16 hours of classroom training, live-fire qualification, four personal references, fingerprints, and a detailed background check. 21+ minimum age. $200 initial fee, $150 renewal. Valid 2 years.
Chapter 131 of 2022 replaced New Jersey’s pre-Bruen “justifiable need” standard with objective criteria under the revised N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4. The statute is shall-issue for qualified applicants, but the qualifying bar is significantly higher than in most shall-issue states.
Core requirements under Chapter 131:
- Minimum age 21
- Valid FPIC
- Four personal references unrelated to the applicant
- 16-hour state-approved firearms training course, including classroom instruction on New Jersey law and live-fire qualification
- Fingerprints through IdentoGO
- State and federal background checks
- Certification that the applicant is thoroughly familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns
- Application through the local chief of police for residents or NJSP for non-residents
- $200 initial application fee, $150 renewal fee
The liability insurance requirement originally in Chapter 131 was struck down in federal court. Other provisions have faced ongoing constitutional challenge through Koons v. Platkin and Siegel v. Platkin. The Third Circuit’s September 2025 ruling largely upheld Chapter 131’s substantive requirements while reshaping the sensitive-places framework.
CCPs are valid for 2 years. The permit authorizes concealed carry only, not open carry. Applicants must specify what firearm(s) the permit covers; the permit is handgun-specific.
Open Carry: Effectively Banned
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws do not provide a legal path for open carry of a handgun in public. Even Concealed Carry Permit holders must carry concealed. Open carry of long guns is also highly restricted and generally prohibited in populated areas.
New Jersey has no open carry provision for handguns. The state’s carry framework under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5 requires a valid Concealed Carry Permit to carry a handgun in public, and the permit authorizes concealed carry only. There is no permit issued for open carry. This distinguishes New Jersey from states like Virginia or Arizona where open carry is recognized as an independent right.
Long guns can be transported in limited circumstances — to and from ranges, hunting grounds, and dealers — but open carry of a long gun in a general public setting is effectively prohibited outside of those contexts.
Magazine Capacity and Assault Weapons Ban
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws cap magazines at 10 rounds under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y). Possession, sale, transfer, or manufacture of a magazine over 10 rounds is a criminal offense. The assault weapons ban under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w) and 2C:39-5 prohibits a broad category of named and feature-tested firearms with very limited grandfathering.
The 10-round magazine cap was reduced from 15 rounds in 2018 under P.L. 2018, c.39. There is no grandfather clause for pre-2018 higher-capacity magazines; owners had a one-year window to surrender, render inoperable, register as an assault firearm (if eligible), sell out of state, or transfer to a licensed firearms dealer.
The assault weapons definition is broad:
- Named firearms including the AR-15, AK-47, and specific models listed in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w). The AR-15 in New Jersey is a named banned assault firearm with no new-purchase pathway for civilian buyers.
- Semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines over 10 rounds
- Semi-automatic shotguns with a capacity over 6 rounds or specific features
- Certain semi-automatic pistols with features such as a shrouded barrel or magazine outside the pistol grip
Limited grandfathering exists for firearms lawfully owned and registered before the statute’s effective date. Registration required filing with the NJSP. Otherwise, assault firearms are prohibited for new purchase, possession, or transfer in New Jersey.
Hollow Point Ammunition Rules
TL;DR: Hollow-point ammunition is legal to own, but New Jersey gun laws restrict where it can be carried. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f), you cannot possess hollow-point bullets outside your home, target range, hunting grounds, or property you own — except during direct transit between those locations.
Hollow-point bullets are an exception to the usual ammunition rules. You can buy them at any New Jersey retailer and store them at home, and you can use them at a range or hunting. But you cannot carry them outside those protected zones except when moving directly between them. The statute creates a practical limit on self-defense ammunition carried by CCP holders outside the home.
The restriction is set at N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f). Violation is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
Where You Can’t Carry: Chapter 131 Sensitive Places
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws designate an extensive list of “sensitive places” under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4.6 (Chapter 131 of 2022). The Third Circuit’s September 2025 Koons/Siegel v. Platkin ruling upheld most of the list under the post-Bruen analytical framework, including parks, entertainment venues, healthcare facilities, libraries, museums, and establishments serving alcohol. The private-property default-gun-free-zone presumption was enjoined.
Under Chapter 131, even a valid Concealed Carry Permit does not authorize carry in:
- K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
- Courthouses, polling places, and government buildings
- Healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices
- Public parks, beaches, and recreation areas
- Libraries and museums
- Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol (while alcohol is being served)
- Entertainment venues including stadiums, theaters, and concert halls
- Public transportation including NJ Transit trains, buses, and stations
- Youth sports events
- Houses of worship
- Airports (secure areas per federal law)
- Federal buildings under 18 U.S.C. § 930
The Third Circuit in Koons v. Platkin (September 2025) upheld most of Chapter 131’s sensitive-places framework. The court reversed the lower court’s injunctions against parks, entertainment venues, healthcare, libraries, museums, and bars serving alcohol. The court separately affirmed the injunction against the private-property default presumption, so private businesses in New Jersey are NOT gun-free by default — they must actively post no-firearms signage to restrict lawful concealed carry.
New Jersey Self-Defense Laws: Duty to Retreat and Castle Doctrine
TL;DR: New Jersey is a duty-to-retreat state outside the home under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4. Castle Doctrine applies inside the dwelling under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(c), removing the duty to retreat. Deadly force is justified only when reasonably believed necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily harm, kidnapping, or sexual assault.
New Jersey gun laws place the state among the few remaining duty-to-retreat jurisdictions. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(b)(2)(b), you cannot use deadly force if you can safely retreat. The exception is the Castle Doctrine inside the home — under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(c), an occupant of a dwelling has no duty to retreat from an unlawful intruder.
Key provisions:
- Duty to retreat outside the home. You must attempt to retreat if a safe avenue is available before using deadly force.
- No duty to retreat inside the home (Castle Doctrine). The dwelling exception applies to the occupant, not a trespasser.
- Deadly force standard. Reasonable belief that force is immediately necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily harm, kidnapping, sexual assault, or the commission of a robbery or burglary.
- No initial-aggressor exception. You cannot claim self-defense if you provoked the confrontation.
This is substantively different from Stand Your Ground states like Florida, Texas, or Missouri. Prosecutors in New Jersey can and do scrutinize whether the defender had a reasonable opportunity to retreat.
Red Flag Law: Extreme Risk Protective Orders (ERPO)
TL;DR: New Jersey’s Extreme Risk Protective Order law under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-20 et seq. took effect September 1, 2019. Family or household members, law enforcement, and dating partners can petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from a person deemed an immediate danger. Temporary orders up to 10 days, final orders up to 1 year and renewable.
The Extreme Risk Protective Order framework operates on two tracks:
- Temporary Extreme Risk Protective Order (TERPO). Ex parte. Can be issued based on affidavit evidence. Lasts up to 10 days pending a full hearing.
- Final Extreme Risk Protective Order (FERPO). Issued after notice and hearing. Requires preponderance of evidence. Effective up to 1 year and renewable.
A respondent subject to a FERPO must surrender all firearms and firearm permits to law enforcement or a licensed dealer. Violation is a fourth-degree crime. The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel and to contest the order at the hearing.
NFA Items: Most Prohibited in New Jersey
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws prohibit most NFA items at the state level regardless of federal ATF approval. Suppressors are banned, as are short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and most machine guns. New Jersey’s assault weapons ban and hollow-point rules overlap with NFA prohibitions.
New Jersey gun laws place the state among roughly a dozen jurisdictions that prohibit suppressors under state law regardless of federal tax-stamp approval. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(c), possession of a silencer is a fourth-degree crime. Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are similarly restricted under the state’s assault weapons and dangerous-weapons framework.
The federal OBBBA (2025) elimination of the $200 NFA tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs does not change New Jersey’s state-level prohibitions. Federal legality is a necessary but not sufficient condition for possession in New Jersey.
Lawfully-registered pre-1986 civilian machine guns are legal to possess in New Jersey if the holder obtains the specific federal and state authorizations. The state machine gun permitting process is tightly controlled and rarely issued.
State Preemption and Local Rules
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws include partial state preemption under N.J.S.A. 2C:1-5(d). Municipalities generally cannot impose their own firearm ordinances on top of state law, but the state framework itself is already extensive, so local divergence is minimal.
Under New Jersey gun laws, partial preemption means state law occupies most of the firearms regulatory space. Municipalities cannot create their own magazine capacity rules, permit requirements, or assault weapons bans on top of state law. Limited local authority remains over discharge ordinances, use of municipal property, and noise regulations.
Practical impact: the rules are the same in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and Paterson as they are in rural Sussex County. This is one area where New Jersey’s restrictive framework is actually simpler than California’s complex patchwork of local ordinances.
Reciprocity: Out-of-State Permits
TL;DR: New Jersey does not recognize any other state’s concealed carry permit. Out-of-state visitors cannot legally carry a handgun in New Jersey without obtaining a New Jersey non-resident Concealed Carry Permit through NJSP.
New Jersey gun laws make the state a zero-reciprocity jurisdiction. No matter how permissive your home state’s permit is, it does not authorize carry in New Jersey. The only lawful paths to carrying a handgun in New Jersey are:
- Obtain a New Jersey non-resident Concealed Carry Permit through NJSP (same Chapter 131 requirements as residents)
- Transport a firearm through New Jersey under the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) — unloaded, locked, inaccessible, traveling continuously between two states where possession is legal
The New Jersey non-resident CCP is recognized in approximately 30 states under those states’ reciprocity agreements.
New Jersey Gun Laws for Out-of-State Visitors
If you’re visiting New Jersey with a firearm from another state, your options are sharply limited. New Jersey does not honor any other state’s concealed carry permit under any reciprocity framework. Your best path is federal FOPA transport — unloaded, locked in a separate container, ammunition separate, inaccessible from the passenger compartment, and you must be traveling continuously between two states where possession is legal. Visitors bringing firearms to New Jersey to stay temporarily should be aware that the state’s 10-round magazine cap, assault weapons ban, and hollow-point restrictions apply immediately upon crossing the state line. Even the New Jersey non-resident CCP requires the full Chapter 131 process: 16-hour training, four references, fingerprints, background check, and $200 fee.
Moving to New Jersey with Firearms
If you’re relocating to New Jersey, the first step is to apply for an FPIC through the FARS portal as soon as you establish residency. Out-of-state firearms you bring in must comply with New Jersey law immediately: magazines over 10 rounds are illegal regardless of when or where they were purchased, assault firearms cannot be possessed without qualifying for a narrow grandfather registration, and hollow-point ammunition cannot leave the home except during direct transit to a range, hunting ground, or another owned property. Pre-existing out-of-state concealed carry permits provide no authority in New Jersey, so plan to apply for a New Jersey CCP if you want to carry.
Ghost Guns and Privately-Manufactured Firearms
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws prohibit ghost guns and unserialized privately-manufactured firearms under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(k) and the 2022 ghost gun law. All firearms in New Jersey must bear a serial number registered through an FFL. The state aligns with the ATF’s 2022 Final Rule and adds state-specific criminal penalties.
New Jersey passed its ghost gun law in 2018 with expanded provisions in 2022. The statute prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, and possession of unserialized firearms and firearm parts including 80% receivers, unless the receiver has been serialized and registered through a New Jersey FFL. Violation is a third-degree crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Recent Changes (2024-2026)
TL;DR: The biggest recent change to New Jersey gun laws is the Third Circuit’s September 2025 Koons v. Platkin ruling largely upholding Chapter 131’s sensitive-places framework. Ongoing 2024 litigation challenges the “one gun a month” rule. The federal OBBBA (2025) eliminated the NFA $200 tax stamp, but state-level NJ prohibitions on most NFA items are unchanged.
- September 2025: Third Circuit ruling in Koons v. Platkin and Siegel v. Platkin largely upholds Chapter 131’s sensitive-places list. Parks, entertainment venues, healthcare, libraries, museums, and bars serving alcohol are enforceable gun-free zones. Private-property default presumption remains enjoined.
- June 2024: Class-action lawsuit filed against the State of New Jersey challenging the “one gun a month” rule and the two-tier FPIC/PPH structure. Case remains pending.
- January 1, 2026: Federal OBBBA takes effect eliminating the $200 NFA tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs. No impact on New Jersey state-level prohibitions.
- 2023: FARS electronic-only system fully replaced paper applications. All FPIC and PPH applications now processed online.
- December 22, 2022: Governor Phil Murphy signed Chapter 131 of 2022 (A4769). Replaced justifiable-need CCW standard with shall-issue objective criteria and added extensive sensitive-places restrictions. Most provisions have survived federal court review.
- June 2022: NYSRPA v. Bruen decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Invalidated New Jersey’s prior may-issue framework and forced the Chapter 131 rewrite.
For current legislative tracking, see the New Jersey Legislature.
Our Take
TL;DR: New Jersey gun laws (NJ gun laws) sit in the most-restrictive state tier alongside California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York. Two-credential licensing, 10-round cap, assault weapons ban, hollow-point restrictions, duty to retreat outside the home, red flag law, and zero reciprocity. The post-Bruen Chapter 131 framework made carry nominally available but added a long list of sensitive places that survived most federal court review in 2025.
For practical everyday purposes, New Jersey gun laws are built around a presumption that firearms require extensive prior credentialing and that public carry is the exception rather than the rule. The post-Bruen Chapter 131 framework opened concealed carry in principle, but the training, references, fees, and sensitive-places list make it practically demanding. If you want to carry in New Jersey, budget for roughly $400-$600 in application, training, and fingerprint costs and expect a months-long timeline.
Practical takeaways for a New Jersey gun owner:
- Start with the FPIC. The FPIC in New Jersey is the foundation for everything else: long gun purchases, ammo, and the precondition for a PPH.
- Plan the “one gun a month” math. If you want to build a collection, each handgun requires a separate $25 PPH plus a 30-day gap.
- Know the hollow-point rules. You can buy and own hollow points, but you cannot carry them in public except during direct transit to a range or property you own.
- Know the duty to retreat outside the home. New Jersey is NOT a Stand Your Ground state. Castle Doctrine inside the home; duty to retreat outside.
- Stay current on Chapter 131 litigation. The sensitive-places list mostly survived the Third Circuit’s September 2025 ruling, but the private-property default is enjoined and the case may continue to evolve.
- Don’t assume reciprocity. No other state’s permit works in New Jersey. Travelers with home-state permits must rely on federal FOPA transport.
Bookmark the NJSP FARS portal and the NJSP Firearms Unit page for current law and application forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey gun laws require a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 to buy any rifle, shotgun, or ammunition. A separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH) is required for each handgun, with one PPH issued per 30-day period under the "one gun a month" rule. FPIC costs $50 with no expiration; each PPH costs $25 and is valid 90 days. Both are processed through the NJSP FARS electronic portal.
Is New Jersey a shall-issue concealed carry state?
Yes, since December 22, 2022 under Chapter 131 of 2022. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill in response to NYSRPA v. Bruen. The revised N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 requires issuance to qualified applicants based on objective criteria: age 21+, valid FPIC, four personal references, 16-hour state-approved training with live-fire, fingerprints, and state/federal background checks. $200 application fee, $150 renewal. Valid 2 years. Higher bar than most shall-issue states but no discretionary denial.
Does New Jersey recognize other states' concealed carry permits?
No. New Jersey is a zero-reciprocity state. No other state's concealed carry permit authorizes carry in New Jersey. The only lawful options for out-of-state visitors are to apply for a New Jersey non-resident Concealed Carry Permit (same Chapter 131 requirements as residents) or transport under the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) with the firearm unloaded, locked, inaccessible, and traveling continuously between two states where possession is legal.
What is New Jersey's magazine capacity limit?
New Jersey gun laws cap magazines at 10 rounds under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(y). Possession, sale, transfer, or manufacture of any magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds is a criminal offense. The limit was reduced from 15 rounds to 10 rounds in 2018 under P.L. 2018, c.39. There is no grandfather clause; pre-2018 higher-capacity magazines had to be surrendered, rendered inoperable, registered, sold out of state, or transferred to a dealer within a one-year window.
Does New Jersey have an assault weapons ban?
Yes. New Jersey's assault weapons ban under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1(w) and 2C:39-5 is one of the broadest in the country. It covers named firearms (AR-15, AK-47, and specific models), semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines over 10 rounds, semi-automatic shotguns over 6 rounds or with specific features, and certain semi-automatic pistols with features like shrouded barrels. Limited grandfathering exists for firearms lawfully owned and registered before the statute's effective date. Otherwise, assault firearms cannot be purchased, possessed, or transferred in New Jersey.
Are hollow-point bullets legal in New Jersey?
Legal to own, but restricted where you can carry them. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f), hollow-point ammunition cannot be carried outside your home, target range, hunting grounds, or property you own — except during direct transit between those locations. Violation is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison. The restriction applies even to Concealed Carry Permit holders, creating a practical limitation on self-defense ammunition carried in public.
Does New Jersey have Stand Your Ground?
No. New Jersey is a duty-to-retreat state outside the home under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4. You must attempt to retreat if a safe avenue is available before using deadly force in public. The Castle Doctrine applies inside the dwelling under N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4(c), removing the duty to retreat when defending against an unlawful intruder in your home. Deadly force is justified only when reasonably believed necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily harm, kidnapping, sexual assault, or robbery/burglary.
Can I own a suppressor in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey gun laws prohibit suppressors at the state level regardless of federal ATF approval. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(c), possession of a silencer is a fourth-degree crime. Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are similarly restricted under the state's assault weapons and dangerous-weapons framework. The federal OBBBA (2025) elimination of the $200 NFA tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs effective January 1, 2026 does not override New Jersey's state-level prohibitions. Lawfully-registered pre-1986 civilian machine guns are the one NFA category that can be possessed with both federal and state authorizations, but state permits are rarely issued.
How long does an FPIC take in New Jersey?
The statutory deadline under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(f) is 30 days for New Jersey residents and 45 days for non-residents from the date of application. In practice, FPIC processing times vary significantly by municipality — some towns issue within the 30-day window, others take 60 to 120 days depending on the local police department's workload and the IdentoGO fingerprint appointment availability. The New Jersey State Police FARS portal tracks application status in real time. If a municipality exceeds the statutory deadline, applicants can file a civil action to compel issuance or request NJSP review.
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