Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a summary of basic concealed carry laws in New Jersey. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Garden State.
Can You Carry a Gun in New Jersey?
Open carry is not addressed in New Jersey state law, although a New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun (PCH) is required to carry a firearm in the state. A person can keep and carry any legal firearm in his or her place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed. Concealed carry is only legal with a PCH. PCHs are issued to residents and non-residents. The state of New Jersey doesn’t recognize concealed carry permits from other states.
Whether you can bring a handgun into New Jersey depends on the circumstances. A person can transport his or her firearm if traveling through New Jersey or between one residence and another when moving to or within the state and only if in compliance with the following requirements:
- Firearm must be unloaded
- Firearm must be contained in
- A closed and fastened case
- A gun box
- A securely tied package
- Locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported
If neither of those situations applies, it would be illegal to have your handgun in New Jersey.
New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit
New Jersey is now a shall-issue state with concealed weapons permits issued at the local level by municipal police departments or NJ State Police. Applicants must first obtain the approval of their local police chief, then must present his or her application to a superior court judge. A firearms training course is required for new applicants, who must be at least 21 years old.
Castle Doctrine
While New Jersey doesn’t have a “stand your ground” law, it is a Castle Doctrine state. Use of force is justifiable for protection when a person believes that such force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of unlawful force by such other person on the present occasion. The use of deadly force is only justifiable when a person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to protect himself or herself against death or serious bodily harm. There is a duty to retreat outside of one’s dwelling.
Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements
A Firearms Purchaser Identification (FPID) card and a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check conducted through a federally licensed firearms dealer are required to buy a handgun. At least seven days must elapse from the date of application for the FPID to the purchase. Firearms registration is voluntary, but since handgun purchase permit records are maintained by the New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigation Unit, there is de facto mandatory handgun registration for handguns purchased in-state. There is a magazine-capacity limit of no more than 10 rounds for handguns.
Does New Jersey Have Ammunition and Magazine Restrictions?
You must have a FPID, a permit to purchase a handgun or a PCH in order to buy handgun ammunition. Magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition are prohibited. The minimum age to purchase or possess handgun ammunition is 21 years old. Hollow-point and armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited in New Jersey.
However, since sportsmen may use hollow-point ammunition, there are exceptions for keeping it at a person’s dwelling or land owned or possessed by the person. Exceptions also apply for carrying such ammunition from the place of purchase to said dwelling or land. There are also exemptions for:
- A member of a rifle or pistol club organized under rules of the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and which filed its charter with the state police
- A person engaged in hunting or target practice with a firearm legal for hunting in this state
- A person going directly to a target range
- A person going directly to an authorized place for practice, match, target, trap or skeet shooting exhibitions
Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons
Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. The minimum age is 18 years old. The possession of one pocket-sized self-defense spray device by a person who is not a felon and who is at least 18 years old is also allowed.
Where Can One Concealed Carry in New Jersey?
Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with New Jersey’s gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.
Locations where a person with a New Jersey PCH can carry a concealed handgun include:
- Roadside rest areas
- Your place of business
Locations where carry is prohibited, even for New Jersey PCH permit holders, include:
- Schools, colleges, universities, day care centers or other educational institutions
- Casinos
- Restaurants that serve alcohol
- State parks
- Wildlife Management Areas, state forests and national forests
- Statue Cruises ferry to Ellis Island & Liberty Island, and the Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in New Jersey?
Only individuals with a New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun (PCH) with the appropriate stipulations may carry a handgun in a vehicle. Without a New Jersey PCH, all firearms must be transported in a securely fastened case, unloaded and separate from the ammunition. If transporting a gun in a car, it should not be accessible from the passenger compartment. If the gun must be carried in the passenger compartment, it MUST be in a locked container. It is illegal to carry a pistol or ammunition in the glovebox, even a locked one.
Ready to Learn More About New Jersey Gun Laws?
It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about New Jersey’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the New Jersey gun laws page now…
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
