Any NJ residents out there?

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dumbhunter

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Please excuse my ignorance, but I’m new to shooting. I just shot real guns for the first time this weekend, and had a great time. I’m really interested in hunting and shooting, but don’t know how to go about getting a gun license, or what to expect.

I was wondering what exactly it is that I need to do to buy a hunting rifle in NJ. I have been looking all over the place, and I’m finding conflicting/ unclear info. Do I need to take some kind of class to get a rifle permit? What about getting a hunting license? Also, I hear that I can’t own some types of guns in NJ. Is this true? What types of restrictions are there?

In the future, I would like to buy a handgun, does anyone know the procedure for this. Are there any hand guns that I cannot own?

I apologize for all of the questions, and hope that I’m not being annoying, it’s just that I don’t know.

Thanks in advance,

Johnny
 
Congratulations on your decision!

You'll be getting an education on why NJ and other hard-core "liberal" states get laughed at by the rest of the country when it comes to gun rights.

You'll first need to apply for your NJ Firearm Purchaser ID card before you can buy a rifle or shotgun. By law, this takes no more than 30 days. In reality, it takes 60+ depending on your local police dept.

While applying for your FID, you can check the box for pistol purchase permit(s) if you want to buy a handgun. It's only an extra $2 per permit, so if you think you might be wanting one now is a good time.

You'll need to bring a Money Order for the exact amount, which varies according to how many pistol purchase permits you request. No personal checks.

You'll need to be fingerprinted like the (potential) criminal that you are. Hours vary by police dept, so call ahead. Expect witty conversation with the officer doing the fingerprinting..."So, why do you want a gun?"

After your 2+ month waiting period has passed and you've received your FID, you can buy rifles/shotguns all you want. I've not heard of rifles being allowed for hunting here, just slug-bore shotguns. Check with the state Ministry of Hunting or whatever.

Forms and info can be found here:

http://www.njsp.org/about/firearms.html
 
The Cavalry...

Thanks for the info. I’m going to be hunting with my friend from work. He and his family have some land near Lake Placid, NY. He said that rifles are OK in NY, but that’s a bummer if I can’t also use it in NJ. I guess I better get cracking if I want to be able to get it before this season opens?

Anyone know if I can buy an AR-15 in NJ. I shot one this weekend and did really good with it. I was hitting soda cans out to about 50 paces, and it hardly kicked at all. What about the rifles with the lever handles on the bottom, are those allowed in NJ. I shot one this weekend too and it was the most fun of them all. It shot the little 22’s (I think that’s right). I was hitting playing cards pretty easily and it didn’t kick any more than a BB gun. Plus it looked like the cowboy cap gun rifle that I had when I was a kid. We are going to go again this weekend (weather permitting) and I am excited. If two weeks ago anyone told me that I’d be excited to go shooting or hunting or buying a gun, I would have thought they were crazy, but now, I’m hooked. My dad always said, before you make up your mind, just try something, you never know if you’ll like it. Boy was he right.
 
Welcome to shooting.

You can find the hunting information for NJ at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/hunting.htm

You can send away for the education materials that include the video and the workbook. Click on the Hunter Education link for more information.

ARs are sort of allowed in NJ...no magazines over 15 rounds, fixed stock only, and maybe a few other restrictions. The state police page linked above has links to the NJ laws regarding legal and illegal firearms.

NJ is not the best state to be in for shooting and related rights. If you are so inclined, consider joining one of the many gun groups that advocate for better laws (NRA, GOA, NJCSD) for gun owners.
 
AR-15 type rifles that are "post ban" compliant (no flash suppressor, fixed stock, no bayonet lug, no evil "AR-15" lettering on the receiver...) are legal in NJ. Magazine capacity is 15 or less as stated above.

Not sure I understand your other question, but it sounded like you were asking about lever-action guns. These are very much legal and not subject to "Assault Weapon" limitations because they're not semi-automatic.
 
A few old leverguns with mag capacity > 15 aren't legal. The mag cap limit is independent of the NJ AWB.

Also, rifles are OK for hunting, below some # of grain bullet, basically .22lr for varmints.

As for which "evil" ARs are jersey legal, the answer is simple: Buy it from an FFL, who won't sell you something unlawful.
 
Double check the NY laws as well. They have some wacky restrictions too. Just make sure you are legally allowed to transport and use firearms if you are a non-resident. Don't rely on a friend's interpretation of the law, verify for yourself somehow. Maybe the AG office or NY State Police could prove informative.
 
Well, dumbhunter, Welcome to the wacky, weird, Willie Wonka land of firearms ownership that is New Jersey! :banghead:

Good info so far - and here's a couple more things for ya. Go to www.state.nj.us/lps/njsp/info/forms.html and you can print out any firearms form you need; comes in very handy. And next time you are at a bookstore or an FFL store, get a copy of "Nappen II: New Jersey Gun, Knife & Weapon Law" - it is written by a lawyer, Evan Nappen, who deals specifically with firearms laws in NJ. This book will answer most of your firearms purchase and ownership questions (i.e., to everyone in the state, across the country and around the world: is it legal to own full-auto weapons in NJ? Believe it or not, YES!!! :what: But in order to possess it, a local county judge must sign off on your paperwork - good luck with that). And he does include an updated list of banned AW's.

Always arm yourself with Knowledge - it really messes with the Powers that Be!

And depending on where you are, Fort Dix has one of the best public rifle ranges in the state.
 
thanks

Wow, you guys are really helpful. I am so grateful for all of the assistance. If I’m asking too many questions just tell me to knock it off.

The link that DBabsJr gave me was very helpful, but did bring up another question. The NJ division of fish and wildlife website states that the “firearm” season is Dec 4-9. but also gives dates for Muzzleloaders and shotguns. Is this confusing, or is it just me? What other “firearms” could one hunt with?

thanks
 
DBabsJr...

this was under the "deer" section. I looked into it a bit more and it appears that each "section" or geographical region has its own rules when it comes to the number of deer tags, types of weapons used, dates, and length of season ...
Wow, who knew that there was this much involved?

I'm not detered though.
 
After you get your Firearms Purchaser ID card, laminate it. It's going to last you a long time.

When you make your first purchase, get a case that you can put some kind of lock on. You'll need it for transportation.

Then find a congenial place to shoot. I'll second the suggestion about the Ft. Dix Rod & Gun Club at Range 14 in Ft. Dix.
 
Does the Ft Dix range require membership or can you just walk in and shoot for a fee?
 
Up to TWO months to buy a firearm in NJ? I thought Kali, VA were bad with their one handgun a month BS!

Im tired of how certain states can make stricter gun laws. Its time the Supreme Court steps in!
 
I dont hunt, and neither do alot of casual shooters, but you may want to check out njhunter.com or newjerseyhunter.com

for fid stuff, check out njcsd.org or njgunforums.com
 
STLGUNFAN,

The peculiarities of NJ are not that it takes 2+ months to buy a pistol AS SUCH.

It takes 2+ months to get an approved Permit to Purchase for a pistol once you have that THEN the purchase is just as long as it takes for a NICS check to run.

Word of suggestion, if the OP does get a pistol, I heartily recommend that he takes a photocopy of his copy of the PtP and keeps it permanently in the same case he transports his pistol to or from his place of shooting.

The law, as written in NJ, in effect, bars all private ownership of firearms with specific exceptions so it is incumbent up you to be able to demonstrate you are legal.

So, whenever you transport your firearm, carry your FID and I would suggest the copies of any PtP's,

The AR-15 comments are good with one small addition, AR-15 stamping does not make the rifle illegal for NJ, it is ONLY a named Colt AR-15 that is illegal, 'cause that's the only one specifically mentioned in the law........The nebulous "substantially alike" phrasing was ruled as unenforceable.
 
A few old leverguns with mag capacity > 15 aren't legal. The mag cap limit is independent of the NJ AWB.
Click to expand...
This is incorrect. The 15 round limit applies only to semi-autos. Lever-actions can have capacities greater than 15 rounds. 2C:39-1y states:

"Large capacity ammunition magazine" means a box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm.
Click to expand...

And 2C:39-1w(4) defines an "assault firearm" as:

A semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 15 rounds.
Click to expand...
 
Bump to the top...have my own NJ question, and I haven't found the answer yet:

When you get your FID card and buy your pistol, and then you're given a 2nd pistol (i.e., gift from family, inheritance) or legally acquire it outside NJ, do you need to apply for another permit, or do you simply file the voluntary registration form and be done with it?

Or what if it's the opposite...you get the FID and voluntarily register an inherited pistol against that FID number. Is the permit to purchase still good for an additional purchase?

Thanks...
 
One permit to purchase per pistol (bought or inherited). Gotta love NJ
BacSi
 
If you are coming into NJ as a new resident then the voluntary registration scheme is voluntary for already owned pistols, just make sure the magazines do not exceed 15 rounds in capacity.

If you are an existing NJ resident then legally you have to get a Permit to Purchase to transfer EACH pistol if it is being transferred to you.

You still require a Firearms ID card come what may even if you are not acquiring any new firearms as you have to show your FID if you want to purchase ammunition......
 
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