In New Jersey, the state statute dictates a processing time of no more than 30 days. However, in practice, many municipalities in the state often extend this timeframe, ranging from 2 weeks to over 2 years. Sadly, firearm owners are keenly aware that communities with high crime rates, a concentration of violent offenders, and political corruption frequently impose barriers that impede law-abiding citizens from safeguarding themselves. Residents in these areas often feel that Jim Crow-like restrictions persist, especially in densely populated democratic neighborhoods.

In New Jersey, individuals are ineligible to possess a gun and charged with being a felon unless they obtain approval for a Firearms Identification Card (FID). Upon obtaining an FID, N.J.S. § 2C:58-3 delineates the criteria under which individuals may be denied firearms or handgun permits. This section prohibits the issuance of such identification or permits to individuals convicted of any crime, disorderly persons offense, or domestic violence-related offense. However, some argue that the law seeks to prevent minorities and communities of color from being unfairly targeted and denied for no valid reason based on race, religion, and location.

Purchase ID Card: $50.00 but will be increased $100.00 ($5.00 prior to 2022)
Per Pistol Permit: $25.00 but will be increased to $50.00 ($2.00 prior to 2022)
Fingerprinting Fee: $45.73
Carry Permit: $200.00 but will be increased to $400.00 ($20.00 prior to 2022)
NICS Background Check: $15.00 for long guns, $16.00 per pistol but will be increated to $45.00
Dealer Employee License: $50.00 but will be increased to $500.00
Manufacter/Wholesale License: $150.00 but will increased to $1500.00

New Jersey is attempting to enforce an illegal poll tax on law-abiding citizens residing and working in underserved communities. Poll taxes were ruled unconstituation since the poll tax disfranchised and deprived the rights on citizens based on racial and economic class.

Consistently, the New Jersey State Police may not provide daily status updates. The predominant reason for the absence of new status updates often results from the limited operational hours of the NICS Unit, insufficient resources allocated to the unit, and its non-operation on Sundays or State holidays. Notably, the department's lack of funding is not among the reasons, given its considerable profit margins.

Typically, if you notice that the NJ NICS Unit is processing submissions from a specific day, it indicates that previous day's submissions have likely been processed already. In such cases, your background check might have been cleared, but your Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer has not yet been notified. Exceptions to this scenario include instances where your NICS check has been delayed or denied. Furthermore, individuals under 21 years old must undergo an enhanced background check by the FBI NICS, which may extend for up to 10 business days.

Yes, in New Jersey, you can keep a loaded gun in your house, but there are strict regulations and requirements governing firearm ownership and storage. To legally possess a firearm in New Jersey, you generally need to obtain a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) or a Permit to Purchase a Handgun (PPH), depending on the type of firearm you wish to possess.
Additionally, New Jersey has specific laws regarding the safe storage of firearms, particularly when there are minors or prohibited individuals in the household. Guns must be stored in a securely locked container or equipped with a trigger lock to prevent unauthorized access.
It's important to familiarize yourself with New Jersey's firearm laws and regulations to ensure compliance and responsible ownership. Consulting with legal experts or local law enforcement authorities can provide guidance on specific requirements and responsibilities related to firearm ownership in the state.

As of the NJ State Police reported they are working on . New Jersey doesn't consistently provide updates and this is the last report they provided.

As of the NJ State Police reported they are have + checks remaining in the queue. New Jersey doesn't consistently provide updates and this is the last report they provided.

The longest wait reported by the NJ State police shows it can take up to 0+ days long. As of the department reported they are + days behind. New Jersey doesn't consistently provide updates and this is the last report they provided.

As of the NJ State Police reported they are + days behind. In the past 30 days the average was 0+ days behind. The longest wait we recorded indicates it can up to 0+ days long. New Jersey doesn't consistently provide updates and this is the last report they provided.

Code § 13:54-3.19. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is available electronically via a web-based system "New Jersey State Police NICS Online," weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. NICS will be closed on all State holidays.
New Jersey is only one of a few states that does not operate on Sundays.

When NICS was introduced, New Jersey chose to become a Full Point-of-Contact state. The state was challenged in a lawsuit claiming several aspects of the Governor's delegation of NJSP for NICS checks violated the Administrative Procedures Act. As a result, standard operating hours for the NICS Unit were established by the legislature.
"To summarize, we conclude that the Governor had the constitutional power to designate the State Police as New Jersey's Point of Contact for Brady Act background checks, and appellants' appeal with respect thereto is without merit. We further conclude that the institution of the $15 fee for NICS checks did not constitute the adoption of a "rule" without conformity to the procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act, and appellants' appeal with respect thereto is likewise rejected. We conclude, however, that the State Police's Point of Contact operating hours should have been the subject of the Administrative Procedure Act's rulemaking procedures, and that the present hours are invalid because they were not so adopted.
Accordingly, appellants' appeal contesting the Governor's designation of the State Police as the Point of Contact is denied, as is their appeal contesting the $15 fee. We conclude that the New Jersey Point of Contact operating hours are invalid as being adopted in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, but as to that aspect of our determination that we stay the effect of this order for 120 days."
Bullet Hole, Inc. v. Dunbar, 335 N.J. Super. 562, 590 (App. Div. 2000)
Although the challenge for NICS fees was previously denied in the courts, there has never been a lawsuit challenging delays by the NJSP NICS Unit.

NJ NICS are closed for the following holidays:

The cost of NICS Check is $16.00 if it includes handgun, otherwise it is $15.00.

No, only a Firearms Dealership which has set up an account for this service can submit a request for NICS Check. They need to log into their account to submit the request.

A State Bureau of Identification number (SBI#) is a unique number assigned by the NJ State Bureau of Identification for use in identifying all criminal and non-criminal finger prints kept on file within the bureau.

You must apply through your local police department. If you do not have a local police department you must apply through the New Jersey State Police station that covers your municipality. Out of State residents may only apply for a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card through the New Jersey State Police (excluding toll roads, stations on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway).
To apply online utilizing the Firearms Applicant Registration System (FARS) please go to https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/fars. *You must contact the Police Department/Station that covers your residence to first obtain the proper ORI number before starting the application process. Improper submissions will not be refunded.
For any further information outlining specific requirements, contact your police department or nearest New Jersey State Police station.

Individuals must be fingerprinted when applying for an initial Firearms Purchaser Identification Card or an initial Permit to Purchase a Handgun or for a change of sex on a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.
An individual seeking a Permit to Carry a Handgun must be fingerprinted upon the initial application and each subsequent renewal.
A fee shall be paid directly to IdentoGo at the time you schedule your appointment for fingerprinting. The fee amount as well as additional information can be obtained from your local police department or nearest New Jersey State Police station at the time of application.

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. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and or ammunition shall be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or center console and kept farthest from the driver.
As a precaution, ammunition shall be transported in a separate container and locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported. Ammunition magazines may remain loaded during transportation and shall be carried separate from the firearm.

Yes. They are legal for purchase and possess in your home or on land owned by you. They are legal to possess and use at a gun range. They are also legal to possess while traveling to and from such places. Ammunition lacking a hollow cavity at the tip, such as those with a polymer filling, are not considered to be hollow point ammunition. An example of this can be seen with the Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty, Cor-Bon PowRball / Glaser Safety Slug and Nosler Inc. Defense ammunition.

A complete list of banned firearms can be found in N.J.S. 2C:39-1.w as well as N.J.A.C. 13:54-1.2. If a firearm is not specifically listed by name then it may be considered to be substantially identical if it has the following qualities;
A semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(1) A folding or telescoping stock;
(2) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(3) A bayonet mount;
(4) A flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash
suppressor; and
(5) A grenade launcher;

A semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(1) An ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;
(2) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
(3) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned;
(4) Manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; and/or
(5) A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm; and
A semi-automatic shotgun that has one of the following:
(1) A folding or telescoping stock;
(2) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(3) A fixed magazine capacity in excess of six rounds;
A semiautomatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds.
A firearm that meets the above criteria is considered to be “assault firearm” and may only be possessed by a licensed firearms dealer, active duty law enforcement officers and active duty military personnel.
“Assault firearm” shall not include a semi-automatic rifle which has an attached tubular device and which is capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.