Moving to New Jersey

[Tyril]

Howdy fellas,

I am a senior mechanical engineering student who just got a decent-paying job in Moorestown, New Jersey. Though currently a resident of Maryland, I'm quite aware that Jersey is even less a hospitable place for the shooter. The fact that I was even able to find a job with the current situation of the economy out here fills me with relief, so please none of that "go elsewhere" talk.

I've heard that Jersey has a <15 round mag limit, and bans MANY of the EBRs by name. I have a RRA NM AR-15 that is of a ban configuration (no hider/lug, solid stock), whose status I would like to determine under Jersey law. I understand that lowers stamped 'AR-15' are totally banned, but mine is stamped 'LAR-15'. Does anyone who currently (or has previously) lives/ed in Jersey know specifically if RRA lowers are on the banned or non-banned list?

Additionally, I know that I would need a FID to PURCHASE a new firearm in the state, but does that apply to merely 'bringing in' an unbanned arm through moving? What about handguns (<15 rds)? Are there any limitations on ammo purchase? I've heard some talk of hp ammo being of tenuous status, so please enlighten me. What about handloading?

Thank you for your help. I might come up with even more questions

Edit- I'm not moving until the summer, so I'm trying to get some information straight beforehand.

-Mike

 

[Harvster]

I have the answer to all your questions. Go elsewhere. And I'm not being a smart A__ either. You see Moorestown is just across the river from Pennsylvania. PA is a pretty good gun state. You could easily live within 15-30 minutes or so from work.

 

[statelineblues]

A good source for info on NJ gun laws is a book by New Jersey firearms attorney Evan P. Nappen - you can find it at www.evannappen.com - it will answer most of your questions and give you lots of good info.

Just be prepared to wait several MONTHS to get your FID or any Pistol Purchase permits (you'll learn what those are ).

BTW, you won't be too far from Fort Dix, which has a very nice outdoor range available to the public (Range 14).

 

[newman32]

Congratulations on the new job!

Not sure about the legality of the rifle, although you don't need to register what you legally bring in, HP ammo is OK to have in your home, on the range, or to and from a range or the store you got it in. No ammo restrictions so far, but that may soon change. OK to reload, and so far, you can get stuff online if not locally. OK to have 15 rd mags, but nothing more. Blocked 15+ are a no-no.

The code you are interested in is 2C:58 and 2C:39 if you want to read up on it some more. Here are a couple of links to point you in the right direction. Not a legal scholar here, so verify everything first-hand.

http://www.njsp.org/about/fire_ag2.html

http://www.anjrpc.org/NJFirearmsLaws.htm

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/NJSL.pdf

Good luck!

 

[takhtakaal]

38 minutes to Feasterville, PA: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=...74.973106&sspn=0.186178,0.321007&ie=UTF8&z=11

You would neither be in Philly, nor in NJ, have a great milsurp+ gun shop right there, and be 20 minutes from one of the best run indoor ranges in SE PA.

 

[geekWithA.45]

OK.

For starters, I'm not a lawyer, this is not legal advice. I am an informed layman, an NJ political refugee which counts for diddly/squat in a court of law.

My understanding is that

A) post ban configured EBRs not specifically banned by name are legal. (ie: the reciever does NOT have a forbidden magic spell inscribed on it, and it has <= 2 evil features) If my memory serves, I believe I've seen RRA lowers being sold in NJ.

B) You are not required to disclose such legal arms as you move in with, (and ought not to on general principle)

C) NJ's HP law is a sentencing enhancer. If you are caught with HP under circumstances such that it's not legal to have a gun, you get an extra 5 years thrown onto your sentence. You may have HP under such circumstances as is legal to have a gun: ie: @ home, @ range, hunting w/ valid hunting license, etc


D) You will need a FID to purchase new long guns. You will need a FID + a pistol purchase permit to purchase new handguns. A lot of places will want to see a FID to buy ammo. Strictly speaking, you don't need a FID to have your guns in your home, but most NJ cops are under the impression that you need a FID, which for all practical purposes means, you need a FID.

E) In most places, FIDS take a long time to obtain. NJ courts basically tell folks to suck it up.

The way the law in NJ is structured, posession of a firearm is -presumed- unlawful, unless -you- can demonstrate that your posession falls under one of a complex series of exemptions.

Dude, I fled. That's all I'm gonna say.

 

[Tyril]

Hmm... I might have to re-think this whole Jersey thing.


Ok! Should I decide to do the over-the-river commute, how bad would that be? Does anyone here have experience dealing with the traffic on a daily basis? Whereabouts in PA is rent reasonably cheap (<900ish/mo 1BR) yet isn't too far from Moorestown?

Feasterville doesn't look too bad. 38 Minutes/23 mi via Google maps, but it does route down 95, which probably would be a bad idea.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Winchester 73]

Feasterville doesn't look too bad. 38 Minutes/23 mi via Google maps, but it does route down 95, which probably would be a bad idea.

There are alternative routes and PA locations.As a New Jersey refugee my motto is ABJ,anything but Jersey.My sister is still trapped in Whiting.I visit ,but with discretion.
Work in NJ,live in PA freedom.

 

[Antipasta]

I can't refute what's been said firearms related, but the area is among the nicest places in south Jersey. My daughter teaches in Moorestown. Would your employer be the big defense contractor? You'll be 10 minutes from a nice outdoor range with pistol (7 -25 -50), rifle (50 - 100) and trap. Moorestown PD not the worst when getting pistol permits. They, in fact, frequent said range.

Commuting from Pennsylvania (outside Philly) is an hour plus. Rent in Moorestown area for a year, then make up your mind.

 

[axeman_g]

Ok,
I am a NJ resident and live in Cherry Hill, right next to Moorestown. I moved here from Ga, so I know what you are going through.

Gun laws here are stringent, but there is a good 2a community here,many shooting opportunites and hunting areas. My main issue is the Handgun purchase permit you have to go through.... but I dont shoot EBRs.

Somethings to think of, having your 15+ mags stored somewhere while your living here. Since you dont plan on staying forever, this might be a good idea.

You could live in CC Philly for about $1000 a month. Philly is a great place for a young man to live. If you really want to live in Pa, you can drive from CC philly to Moorestown in 20 minutes, NE Philly in 15 (traffic is tighter in NE Philly) or north of the city and be in Moorestown in 20 min. Traffic will never compare to anything in the DC metro area. I was suprised to find it less congested then atlanta.

Just north of Moorestown is rural Burlington County and there are many places to shoot and live in. If you live in the area, you could go shoot at Ft. Dix range which allows civvies, they have a club you can join there. It is a great place... many ebr shooters go there.

PM me for more info on the area... I am in the real estate business so I get around alot and can give you some hints.

 

[S4Lee]

I wish people would stop refering others to Nappen's book. If anyone bothered to visit the links they post, it blatently says the book is OUT OF PRINT, and therefore next to imposible to find a copy of.

The NRA's site has a decent summary on the NJ laws. The 'assault weapon features' are not in the legislated codes, they are determined by the Attorney General. AFAIK, this is the latest from the AG:
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/agguide/assltf.htm

Details of the statutes mentioned can be found here:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

 

[Winchester 73]

The book by Nappen is available ,but blatantly expensive.It also dates to 1997.

http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?a...jFb3gA_4131793733_2:3:31&bq=title=nappen%20on

Author is Evan F. Nappen
Title is Nappen on New Jersey Gun Law
Book is written in English
Prices INCLUDE standard shipping to United States
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Used books: 1 - 2 of 2
# Bookseller Notes Total Price
1 Alibris
[United States] Gun Writes Press 1997 Paperback Very Good Scarce. Reliable descriptions. Careful packing. Unread book, crisp, tight, bright, pristine text. Small bend to lower front cover corner bending tips of a few pages, slightly sunned spine. $78.99
2 librarylions
via AbeBooks
[United States] Softcover, ISBN 0967066026
Publisher: Gun Writes Press, 1997
Scarce. Reliable descriptions. Careful packing. Unread book, crisp, tight, bright, pristine text. Small bend to lower front cover corner bending tips of a few pages, slightly sunned spine. $78.99

 

[BigBadJohn]

njac-title13-ch54

Taken directly from the code, I 'm pretty sure your AR is not allowed , the Colt hbar seems to be the only AR variant allowed.

Welcome to gunowner's hell

"Assault firearms" means:
1. The following firearms:
Algimec AGM1 type
Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder such as the "Street Sweeper" or "Striker 12"
Armalite AR-180 type
Australian Automatic Arms SAR
Avtomat Kalashnikov type semi-automatic firearms
Beretta AR-70 and BM59 semi-automatic firearms
Bushmaster Assault Rifle
Calico M-900 Assault carbine and M-900
CETME G3
Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88 type
Colt AR-15 and CAR-15 series
Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1 and Max 2, AR 100 types
Demro TAC-1 carbine type
Encom MP-9 and MP-45 carbine types
FAMAS MAS223 types
FN-FAL, FN-LAR, or FN-FNC type semi-automatic firearms
Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12 shotguns
G3SA type
Galil type
Heckler and Koch HK91, HK93, HK94, MP5, PSG-1
Intratec TEC 9 and 22 semi-automatic firearms
M1 carbine type
M14S type
MAC 10, MAC 11, MAC 11-9 mm carbine type firearms
PJK M-68 carbine type
Plainfield Machine Company Carbine
Ruger K-Mini-14/5 and Mini-14/5
SIG AMT, SIG 550SP, SIG 551SP, SIG PE-57 types
SKS with detachable magazine type
Spectre Auto carbine type
Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48 type
Sterling MK-6, MK-7 and SAR types
Steyr A.U.G. semi-automatic firearms
USAS 12 semi-automatic type shotgun
Uzi type semi-automatic firearms
Valmet M62, M71S, M76, or M78 type semi-automatic firearms
Weaver Arm Nighthawk
2. Any firearm manufactured under any designation which is substantially identical to any of the firearms listed in
paragraph (1) above;
3. A semi-automatic shotgun with either a magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, a folding stock or a pistol grip;
or a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 15 rounds. For purposes of this paragraph,
"semi-automatic" means a firearm which fires a single projectile for each pull of the trigger and is self-reloading or
automatically chambers a round, cartridge or bullet. For purposes of this paragraph "pistol grip" means a well defined
handle, similar to that found on a handgun, that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, and which
permits the shotgun to be held and fired with one hand;
4. A part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault firearm, or any combination
of parts from which an assault firearm may be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control
of the same person.

 

[Winchester 73]

Welcome to gunowner's hell
Gotta get out of Jersey

Amen.

 

[chris in va]

At the very least, live just over the border in PA. You won't be that far away really, maybe 20 minutes?

Just be careful, Trenton was rated a very bad place to live recently.

 

[PeteRR]

I just moved out of Maple Shade. Moorestown itself is very expensive. Consider Maple Shade, Cinnaminson, or Delran as alternatives. Ammoman.com is 25 minutes south. I've always bought from him using just the DL. If you plan on being in Jersey long term, join: http://www.cjrpc.org/ Their facilities are excellent. The initiation fee is a little steep though. Property taxes will take your breathe away.

You could easily live in Bucks County, drive south on 95, and take the Tacony/Palmyra bridge to Moorestown.

Try Sal + Joe's Pizza and Gaetano's when you get the chance. Jersey is a great place to live, except for the gun laws, property taxes, and state government.

 

[Tyril]

Yeah, I've been looking through the listings and it seems that Moorestown is a good $100-150 above the NE Philly prices.

How would taxes compare? I'm not sure where I could look these figures up.

I've been following some of these links, and it seems to be looking unlikely on the AR. I might just forgo the ease of living nearby for piece of mind.


Thanks for your patience =)

 

[Winchester 73]

Try Sal + Joe's Pizza and Gaetano's when you get the chance. Jersey is a great place to live, except for the gun laws, property taxes, and state government

Wonderful!That great pizza should cancel out all those other nagging little details.

 

[takhtakaal]

I mentioned Feasterville simply because it was there, and I know of a good shop in town.

Living in Philly is cool, but their taxes aren't, and attitudes towards firearms on the part of the PPD are repressive. Bucks County and the border area between Bucks and Montgomery County are reasonably close to the river. The only thing that Jersey offers is slightly lower rentals and gasoline prices to die for. The difference in firearms laws is like night and day, and living in NJ would be tantamount to giving assent to their draconian rule.

Really, if you want to go to Jersey, you can drive there for anything you need.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Tyril,
My best friend and I grew up in rural upstate NY. I moved to VA, he moved to NJ. Fast forward 18 years.

He came down to Va and visited for a couple of weeks. Had a grand old time catching up and we went canoing, camping, hiking, yes and shooting. Well all good things must come to an end and he finally had to head home.

About three days later I got a phone call from him and the majority of the discussion was along the lines of "geez, somehow I just didn't realize how restrictive and interfering NJ government really is until I got out for a while".

After 18 years up there, he's wrapping things up there and moving to Va.

Really that's about all I have to say on the matter.

 

[PeteRR]

Wonderful!That great pizza should cancel out all those other nagging little details.

No need to be a wise ass. If I was moving into the area, I'd live across the river in PA, but NJ does have a lot going for it.

 

[General Geoff]

I work in NJ, commute from my home in PA on a daily basis.


My commute is approximately 1 hour each way, ~50 miles. If I take the back roads, it's just under 40 miles, about the same time. I can tell you without confidence, I would never, ever, in my life, live in New Jersey. Almost every firearm I own, be it the gun itself or its standard capacity magazines, is contraband in NJ, and I've heard horror stories of people being arrested, guns confiscated, when stopping for gas on the way home from the range (cops followed them).

To be perfectly honest, I'd commute twice the distance if I had to; there is nothing in New Jersey worth giving up freedom for. If the commute becomes not economically viable due to rising gasoline prices in the future, I'll quit and get a lower paying job in PA before I move across the Delaware (it might as well be the River Styx).

 

[GLOCK19XDSC]

You could take a look at living in Bucks County around Langhorne, Newtown, maybe even Bristol.

 

[cpttango30]

Do not forget that to get the FID card. You need at least three letters from God, Moses, at least 1 angle no related to you. Then you need the madien name of your grandmothers 4th grade teacher.

By the time you get down with jumping threw the hoops you are going to have spent your gun money on something else.

Plus the state stinks really it stinks.

I read a report that 58% of the people living in NJ wanted to move out because of stupid laws and extreamly high taxes and cost of everything.

 

[Pilot]

I am a former Southeast PA native (Chester County) and lived there for many years and still own property there. I agree with the others. Find a place in Bucks County, PA within reasonable commuting distance to Morristown. NJ is THE Nanny state. I have many relatives there and they are all very liberal and have been brainwashed to be vehemently anti-gun.