New Jersey Gun Laws
New Jersey law stipulates that those who own firearms are required to have Firearm Purchaser cards before any kind of shotgun, rifle, or handgun can be purchased. This also includes all kinds of ammunition. This purchaser permit does not need to be renewed as it does not expire.

The local police will issue a ninety-day permit for the purchase of a handgun, which is different than a lifetime Firearm Purchaser card. When these kinds of permits are issued, extensive application is needed along with background checking through the State Bureau of Identification and the state police as well as several references to be checked.

After an application has been completed, the permit will be approved or denied within thirty days of filing. This process can at times take much longer. As of the first of January 2010 New Jersey law limits purchasing a handgun to only one per thirty days.

The state of New Jersey states that semi-automatic rifles and handguns may only have a maximum of fifteen rounds inside the magazine. Hollow point ammunition is not allowed inside New Jersey state lines unless it is on an individual's personal property or in the home, and may be used while at the shooting range or while hunting.

Certain semi-automatic weapons are also prohibited inside the state lines. The Assault Weapons Ban disallowed police officers from carrying these kinds of firearms unless otherwise permitted by the chief of police for official use. Magazine limitations do not apply to police officers--either on duty or off duty--when approved by the police department.

Carrying Handguns
The law for carrying handguns is very different in New Jersey and is unlike other states. The state law enforcement and state legislature have created a policy that limits the carrying of handguns to those who use them to earn a living.

All handgun owners must be registered to have them in their possession. Permits are also necessary to carry and purchase handguns. Registration for handguns is not necessary but the police department does require that records be collected when a handgun transfer has been completed.

Shotguns and Rifles
Most other states of the United States do not require any kind of permit for carrying a rifle or a shotgun, but New Jersey is the exception. A Firearm Purchaser identification card is needed before a purchase can be made for any kind of rifle or shotgun. No registration is needed, however, to have shotguns or rifles. Owners also do not need to have permits to own these kinds of firearms. But like handguns, a permit is necessary when carrying a shotgun or rifle. This kind of permit is the Firearm Purchaser identification card.

Other New Jersey Stipulations
By law the state of New Jersey requires that a minimum of thirty days must pass before a permit for purchasing a gun is valid. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also may run National Instant Checks through state systems. Sales records are always kept after a purchase has been completed.