The carrying of a handgun inherently comes with the dangers and risks of its
Case: 12-1150 Document: 003110942906 Page: 47 Date Filed: 06/28/201242
misuse or accidental use. These dangers and risks are borne by everyone with whom
the person encounters. The State has a significant, indeed compelling, interest in its
citizens being kept safe from those inherent dangers and risks. This compelling
interest cannot be ignored or dismissed, and it is simply reasonable, in the face of that
interest, to require an applicant to show a justifiable need before subjecting his fellow
citizens to the possibility of great harm.
In sum, the justifiable need requirement combats the dangers and risks
associated with the misuse and accidental use of handguns that are borne, not only by
the person seeking the permit, but by the citizenry he encounters. It is a constitutional
and integral component of New Jersey’s carefully considered and long-standing
scheme to reasonably regulate firearms in the furtherance of public safety.