New Jersey

NJ treats FOPA as an affirmative defense. Police may arrest you, and you must prove FOPA compliance in court.

Prohibited. The carry permit law explicitly requires the handgun to be concealed.

Standard TSA rules apply, BUT getting to the airport in NJ is the risk. Must follow NJ transport laws strictly (direct travel).

Technically Shall Issue following Bruen, but with extensive objective requirements.

Application to local police or NJSP. Requires training, references, mental health check, and interview. Process is rigorous.

Strictly prohibited.

NJ law bans carry on school grounds. Federal law applies to the 1000ft zone, but NJ carry permit exempts from the federal 1000ft prohibition (though not the school grounds themselves).

Illegal without a carry permit. With a permit, the 3rd Circuit enjoined the ban on vehicle carry, so permit holders may carry loaded in vehicles.

Federal law defers to state law. NJ bans carry in 'parks' generally, though the injunction status on parks is complex (beaches/parks enjoined, but playgrounds/zoos upheld). High risk.

Extensive list. 3rd Circuit upheld bans in zoos, parks (partially), libraries, bars, and casinos. Enjoined bans in private property open to public and vehicles.

Strict rules: Unloaded, closed/fastened case or trunk, separate from ammo. Only allowed for direct travel between exemptions (home, range, shop).

Generally banned as 'sawed-off shotguns' (term applies to rifles too). Very difficult to own legally.

Illegal to purchase or possess parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number. Effectively banned.

Banned. No exceptions for NFA registration.

All frames/receivers must be serialized by a licensed manufacturer.

Law exists to investigate/implement, but no current mandate for sales.

Suppressors are strictly banned. Flash hiders are considered an 'assault' feature; having one on a semi-auto rifle with a pistol grip makes it an illegal assault weapon.

Yes. Banned by name and by feature count (semi-auto + detachable mag + 2 evil features).

10 rounds maximum for semi-automatic firearms.

Remove features to have fewer than 2. Typically: Pin/weld muzzle brake (no flash hiders), pin stock (no folding/telescoping), remove bayonet lug.

De facto registration for all handguns via the Permit to Purchase system. New residents must register handguns.

Required if minors are present. Loaded firearms must be stored in a locked box or container.

Yes. Family, household members, or law enforcement can petition for an Extreme Risk Protective Order.

New residents must apply for an FPIC and register all handguns within 60 days of moving.

Must report loss or theft to police within 36 hours.

Must go through a licensed dealer (FFL).

Extremely restricted. Only allowed at a firing range or while hunting, and the owner must remain present.

Statute requires it for carry permit holders, but the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an injunction against this requirement in June 2024.

Criminal liability if a minor gains access to a loaded firearm.

While NJ legalized recreational marijuana, federal law still classifies it as a controlled substance. Users are prohibited from firearm possession.

Illegal aliens are prohibited. Legal permanent residents may purchase but face additional scrutiny.

Private sales are effectively banned. All transfers must go through a licensed dealer (FFL) with background checks, except for very narrow immediate family exemptions.

Illegal under federal law and NJ state law (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-10).

NJ strictly prohibits firearm possession for anyone subject to a DV restraining order or convicted of a crime involving domestic violence (including disorderly persons offenses).

NJ uses its own State Police system (NICS point of contact). Every purchase requires a valid permit (FPIC for long guns, Permit to Purchase for handguns) which involves a background check, mental health search, and fingerprinting.

NJ prohibits possession by anyone convicted of 'certain persons' offenses (broad list of crimes including disorderly persons offenses for DV), those who have had firearms seized under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, and those on the Terrorist Watchlist.

Felons, fugitives, unlawful users of controlled substances, those adjudicated as mental defectives, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged veterans, and those subject to certain DV orders.

18 for Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (long guns), 21 for Permit to Purchase a Handgun.

Statutory 7-day waiting period for handguns. In practice, obtaining the permit often takes months.

No roster of approved handguns, but 'Assault Firearms' (handguns with threaded barrels, barrel shrouds, or magazines outside the grip) are banned.

Yes. Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) for long guns; separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH) for each handgun.

Legal, but must be shipped to a NJ licensed dealer (FFL) for transfer and background check.

Yes, one handgun per 30-day period.

Must show FPIC or handgun permit to buy handgun ammo. Hollow point ammo is restricted to dwelling/range use only.

Handguns must be shipped to NJ FFL. Long guns can be purchased in person out of state if the buyer has a valid NJ FPIC and the sale complies with NJ law.

Not a NICS check, but sales are logged and reported to the State Police. Valid ID/Permit required.

New Jersey law removes the duty to retreat inside one's own dwelling, provided the occupant was not the initial aggressor or assailed by another occupant.

New Jersey imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force, which applies everywhere except within one's own dwelling under specific conditions.

New Jersey does not have a stand your ground law; a person has a duty to retreat from a confrontation in public if they can do so with complete safety.