The worst state to buy a gun, New Jersey.
You cannot just go down to the local gun store and buy a simple shotgun for self defense or a Daisy BB airgun without going through some of the most ridiculous, redundant and draconian processes of any state.
You have apply for a a Firearm ID Purchasers Card or a permit to purchase a pistol from your police department. An intrusive and draconian process that requires up to three references including a reference from your employer in some towns. Some towns like Jersey City required your references to give their social security numbers out. Other towns might require a reference to be notarized. Some towns add their own requirements to the application.
Then there is the mental health check, the criminal check, you must be fingerprinted (yes fingerprinted in order to buy a gun-even a Daisy BB air rifle or a black powder rifle). All hand guns including a black powder, air pistol as well as regular pistols require a separate permit to purchase a handgun. You can only buy one per month and requires a separate permit to purchase. Once you spent $90 in fees for the paperwork, permits, background checks and fingerprinting. Be prepared to wait anywhere from a month to 4 or 5 months to get your paperwork.
When you finally get your FID or your permit to purchase a pistol. You can now go purchase your desired firearm. However it better not be on Sunday, because the state NICS is closed.
By the way, they are also closed State Holidays and whenever there is a bad snowstorm that closes the state. Also be aware that the State NICS closes at 5:00 pm Saturday. And are only opened up till 8 pm during the week.
Did I mention that there ia an additional $15 mandatory state NICS fee at the point of sale? Silly me, I forgot to mention that there is tax on that $15 fee too.
And New Jersey residents have the privilege of paying $15,000 to $20,000 a year in property taxes for the status as being the worst state to own a gun....Of course that is if you ever get your FID card or Pistol Purchase permit. Remember that even though you have a clean record, the police chief can still veto your application.
And lord help you if you ever move to another town and have to get another FID card with your new address. Be prepared to offer up references and again and pay some more fees and wait months for your new card to arrive.
Now it goes downhill from here. Obtaining a carry permit is impossible, unless you want to become an armed guard and have a letter of need from the employer to prove it....in front of a judge.
I won't mention the assault weapons ban, the very limited places you can shoot your legally bought pistol, or the very limited ways you can transport your legally bought pistol back and forth to the range.
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