New Jersey Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No. New Jersey is not a constitutional carry state.

New Jersey is a shall-issue state.

No more than 10 rounds.

In 2018, the Third Circuit held that New Jersey could redefine “large capacity ammunition magazine” as a box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly into a semi-automatic firearm. There are exemptions for authorized military, law enforcement and for firearms that have been registered by persons that participate in certain competitive shooting matches.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-1(y)]

Yes, any non-felon 18 or over may possess for the purpose of self-defense one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

[N.J. Stat. Ann.2C:39-6 (i)(1)]

Yes. You must have a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card, a permit to purchase a handgun or a carry permit in order to buy handgun ammunition. The minimum age to purchase or possess handgun ammunition is 21 years old.

Hollow-point and armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. 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, and from carrying such ammunition from the place of purchase to said dwelling or land for hunting or target practice with a firearm legal for hunting and shooting exhibitions. The New Jersey State Police has an informative webpage on Transportation and Use of Hollow Point Ammunition by Sportsmen.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-3]

New Jersey statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

No.

[NJ Admin. Code § 7:2-2.17(b)]

No. Your New Jersey driver’s license is not linked to your New Jersey carry permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry permit holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.

No definition of brandishing was found in New Jersey law. However, a person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.

[N.J. Stat  Ann. § 2C:33-2]

A person is guilty of assault if he attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C: 12-1(a)]

New Jersey has a red flag law. A family or household member of a person, or law enforcement, may file a petition for an extreme risk protection order, prohibiting a person from having custody or control of, owning, possessing, purchasing or receiving a firearm.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-21]

Yes. Out-of-state residents must apply to the New Jersey State Police station nearest to their geographic location using the same process as residents.

No, however the information is available for law enforcement.

A permit to purchase a handgun, valid for 90 days is required for each handgun purchase. Only one handgun can be purchased within a 30-day period. A lifetime purchaser identification card is required for purchase of rifles and shotguns, as well as for purchases of handgun ammunition. 

Yes. A valid permit to purchase a handgun is required and at least 7 days must elapse since the date of application for the permit. The waiting period to obtain the permit itself can be as long as 30 days (45 days for non-residents) while the permit application is processed.

Yes. New Jersey allows for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to keep or carry a firearm in his or her place of business, residence, or other land owned or possessed by him or her without a permit. 

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-6e]

Yes. A permit to purchase a handgun and a background check conducted through a federally licensed firearms dealer are required to buy a handgun.

However, there is an exception. A permit to purchase or a firearms purchaser identification card shall not be required for the passing of a firearm upon the death of an owner thereof to his or her heir or legatee. If the heir or legatee of the firearm does not qualify to possess or carry it, he or she may retain ownership of the firearm for the purpose of sale for no more 180 days, or for a further limited period as may be approved by the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the heir or legatee resides.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3]

To purchase a firearm in New Jersey, you must have a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. This can be obtained by filing an Application For Firearms Purchaser Identification Card / Application To Purchase A Handgun with the New Jersey State Police. The form can be completed and then submitted in person at your local municipal police department or a New Jersey State Police Department that covers your jurisdiction. You may also apply online through the Firearms Applicant Registration System. If you do choose to apply online, you must contact the police department that covers your jurisdiction first and obtain the proper Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number before starting the application.

To complete your application, you will also need to provide a New Jersey driver's license or state-issued ID card and list 2 references who can attest to your good character and sound mental health. In addition to this, you will need to consent to fingerprinting and a criminal and mental health background check. A Consent for Mental Health Records Search Form (SP 66) is required.

After your application and consent forms are submitted, the State of New Jersey has 30 days to notify you if you are approved or denied for your Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. If approved, you have 90 days to purchase a handgun before the permit expires.

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Be a person of good character;
• Have demonstrated he or she is familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns;
• Not be subject to any of the disabilities set forth under state law to obtain a permit to purchase a handgun or a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card;
• Not have an outstanding arrest warrant for an indictable offense;
• Not have certain restraining orders or who have violated any restraining orders;
• Not have restraining orders in other jurisdictions;
• Not have had voluntary admissions into mental institutions or hospitals;
• Have references from 4 persons who have known applicant for a minimum of 3 years; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of New Jersey.

​Link to application​

Contact your local municipal police department or closest NJ State Police Office for their process.

Moving to New Jersey and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?New Jersey issues resident and non-resident permits, so you can apply for your permit at any time. In order to apply for a resident permit, you may need to provide a New Jersey driver's license or state ID.

Moving from New Jersey and have a New Jersey resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your New Jersey permit remains valid?If a person with a New Jersey concealed weapons permit establishes residency in another state, the permit is valid until it expires provided you submit the above referenced Name/Address change form.

60 days

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? No.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No. 
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry at my place of business? Yes.
• Carry in my residence and on land that I own? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Yes. No person may interfere with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of wildlife, for the purpose of hindering or preventing the lawful taking of wildlife.

[N.J. Stat. Ann. 23 § 7A-2]

There is no known statute in New Jersey making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

No. It is unlawful to have both a firearm and bow in possession or under control while hunting.

[NJ General Hunting Regulations]