P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068
609-882-2000 Extension 2290 (Phone)
609-406-9826 Fax
All firearms transported into the State of New Jersey:
- Shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel, shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circ*mstances.
- The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console.
For additional exemptions refer to Chapter 39, namely 2C:39-6g.
All firearms transported through the State of New Jersey:
The following guidelines are provided in order to assist law enforcement officers in applying New Jersey's firearms laws to persons who are transporting firearms through the State of New Jersey.
- New Jersey laws governing firearms permits, purchaser identification cards, registration and licenses do not apply to a person who is transporting the firearm through this State if that person is transporting the firearm in a manner permitted by federal law, 18 U.S.C.A. 926A.
- This federal law permitting interstate transportation of a firearm applies only if all of the following requirements are met:
- The person's possession of the firearm was lawful in the state in which the journey began;
- The person's possession of the firearm will be lawful in the state in which the journey will end;
- The person is transporting the firearm for lawful purpose
- The firearm is unloaded
- The firearm is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
- The ammunition is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
- If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console;
- The person is not
- a convicted felon
- a fugitive from justice an addict or unlawful user of drugs, or
- an illegal alien
- The person has not
- been adjudicated to be a mental defective
- been committed to a mental institution
- been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, or
- renounced his United States Citizenship
- A person who is transporting a firearm though the State of New Jersey in the manner permitted by person's possession 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, see Section II above, need not give notice.
- Procedures for Investigation of Conduct Involving the Possession or Transportation of Firearms
- An officer who reasonably suspects that a person is transporting a firearm in violation of New Jersey law should make reasonable inquiries in order to confirm or dispel that suspicion.
- In a case where circ*mstances reasonably indicate that the person's possession and transportation of the firearms my be permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, the officer should make reasonable inquiries in order to determine whether the person's possession is permitted by that federal law.
- If reasonable inquiries lead an officer to conclude that the person's possession is lawful under either New Jersey law or 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, the officer should promptly allow the person to proceed.
- Whenever an officer has probable cause to believe that a person's possession of a firearm is in violation of New Jersey law and not permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, then the officer should make an arrest.
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FAQs
Non-residents of New Jersey who wish to carry a handgun in the state must obtain a permit to carry a handgun from NJSP under the same process as New Jersey residents.
Do I have to register my gun if I move to NJ? ›
Effective February 1, 2023, new residents to the state of New Jersey must register their handguns within 60 days of moving to the state and establishing residency.
Can you keep a loaded gun in your house in NJ? ›
Can You Have a Loaded Gun in Your House in New Jersey? Yes. A person can keep and carry any legal firearm in his or her place of business, residence, premises or other land owned or possessed.
Is it illegal to have an unregistered gun in NJ? ›
2C:39-5(b), possession of a handgun in New Jersey, without an FID and a permit, is a crime of the second degree, and punishable by 5 to 10 years in State prison. Under N.J.S 2C:39-5(c), possession of a shotgun or rifle without an FID is a crime of the third degree, and punishable by 3 to 5 years in State Prison.
Can I transport my gun in NJ? ›
Firearms shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported.
Is NJ open or concealed carry? ›
New Jersey. General Summary: No one, with a few exceptions, may carry or possess a handgun open or concealed without a permit. It is also illegal to posses a loaded long gun unless permitted by law e.g. hunting.
Can I have gun in my home without a permit in NJ? ›
2C:39-7, discussed below, N.J.S. 2C:39-6e allows a person to carry rifles, shotguns, and handguns when the person is inside their own home. What a person not having an FID may possess inside their own home even goes well beyond rifles, shotguns and handguns.
Can you have a gun on you in New Jersey? ›
Open carry is prohibited in New Jersey. Concealed carry is only legal with a NJ PCH. PCH are issued to residents and non-residents. A firearms training course is required for new applicants, who must be at least 21 years old.
Do you have to lock up guns in NJ? ›
FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED, UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN. NEW JERSEY'S FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS–KEEP THEM SAFE!!” New Jersey does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Can I bring my gun out to my lawn in NJ? ›
In New Jersey, you are allowed to open carry your handgun at your home or other private property that you own. However, in order to transport your handgun, it must be properly stored. Proper storage will involve carrying the handgun unloaded and in a closed and fastened gun box, case, package.
It is unlawful to sell, give, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of, or receive, purchase, or otherwise acquire a handgun unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver, or holder is licensed as a dealer under New Jersey law or has first secured a Permit to Purchase a handgun.
Can I use a gun to protect my property in NJ? ›
But so far, no charges have been filed against the homeowner. Under state law, that might be the last word on the case. “As a general rule, deadly force cannot be used in defense of property. So, if you see someone in your driveway breaking into your car, you can't go out and shoot them,” said Dennis T.
Can I bring my gun from PA to NJ vacation? ›
Yes, but good luck getting it. As a Pennsylvanian who vacations in NJ annually, I can tell you that NJ will pretty much only hand out permits to NJ residents and property owners. They don't care what other permits and licenses you have.
What happens if you get caught with a gun in NJ? ›
Possession of a firearm—including handguns, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and assault weapons—without a permit is a third-degree crime, punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison. Possession of any other weapon that requires a license or permit is a fourth-degree crime and carries a prison sentence of up to 18 months.
Do I have to register my handgun in NJ? ›
Registration in New Jersey
New Jersey does not require firearm owners to register their weapons except for, as of February 1, 2023, people who become residents of and transport a personal handgun into the state.
What states does NJ have reciprocity with? ›
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a reciprocal agreement. Compensation paid to New Jersey residents employed in Pennsylvania is not subject to Pennsylvania income tax. Compensation means salaries, wages, tips, fees, commissions, bonuses, and other remuneration received for services rendered as an employee.
Do you need a gun permit in NJ? ›
Prior to purchasing a firearm in New Jersey, all prospective purchasers must obtain either a permit to purchase a handgun (one permit per handgun purchase), or a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) (one card allows unlimited rifle and shotgun purchases),1 from local law enforcement or the New Jersey State ...
Is NJ a duty to inform state? ›
The Right to Inform of a Concealed Carry in PA & NJ
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a person is only obligated to inform a police officer of their concealed carry weapon if asked.
Can you carry a gun in your yard in NJ? ›
In New Jersey, you are allowed to open carry your handgun at your home or other private property that you own. However, in order to transport your handgun, it must be properly stored.
