Sales of Licensed Firearms in New Jersey
How Easy Is It to Purchase a Handgun in NJ?
If you wish to purchase a firearm in NJ, it’s important that you obtain a purchaser permit. Without a valid permit, you can be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and face between five and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, you may also be required to serve at a minimum of half of any prison sentence before you become eligible for parole.
To obtain a valid firearms permit and avoid any legal consequences, you must submit an application with your local police department. The application process consists of completing the standard forms provided by the police or found online and addressing questions about your mental and physical health, as well as any criminal, juvenile, or domestic violence matters you may have in your past. Additionally, you are obligated to submit releases allowing the police department to examine your medical and possible criminal background. On top of that, you must also provide two character witnesses who can vouch for your good moral character.
If you are not disqualified from receiving a handgun permit, the police will grant your application. On the other hand, if your application is rejected, don’t worry: you are permitted to appeal the decision and appear before a Superior Court Judge to challenge the rejection. At the appeal hearing, you will be permitted to question the officer’s decision and present evidence of your own. The reviewing judge will evaluate whether the local police department made an arbitrary decision and also determine whether the applicant fits into one or more of the disqualifying grounds, such as having a prior criminal conviction, suffering from substance abuse, having a mental of physical handicap that would make it unsafe for the individual to handle a firearm, being subject to final restraining, or presenting a danger to the public.