New Jersey imposes obligations upon gun owners moving in from other States that it does no impose on native New Jerseyans. This page explains how New Jersey “welcomes” gun owners moving in from other States.



New Jersey imposes discriminatory requirements upon gun owners relocating from another State. These discriminatory requirements are set forth at N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o”. What N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o” specifies is that a gun owner relocating to New Jersey from another State must apply for a Firearms Purchaser Identification (FPID / FID) card within sixty days of becoming a New Jersey resident. Thus, even if the new New Jersey resident never removes their firearm from the house, they must still apply for that FID. This is a requirement not imposed upon native New Jersey residents.

N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o” additionally specifies that a handgun owner relocating to New Jersey must register any handguns that they own within sixty days. This registration is done with the local police department. If no local police department services the new location, then the registration must be done at any New Jersey State Police location. This, too, is a requirment not imposed upon native New Jersey residents.

N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o” goes on to specify that upon failure to apply, or register, the owner has thirty days to comply. But N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o” never specifies when that additional thirty days begins to run. If it begins immediately upon expiration of the original sixty days, then the time for compliance is actually ninety days. If it begins at some other event, it gives no clue as to what that other event might be.

A first violation of N.J.S. 2C:58-3, subsection “o” carries a $250.00 civil penalty. Any second or subsequent violation is a disorderly persons offense.

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