New Jersey Non-Resident Permit
The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of New Jersey as of 2/2/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to the State of New Jersey legislation at njleg.state.nj.us. Another great resource is the New Jersey State Police Department, njsp.org.
Legally a Non-Resident of New Jersey can apply for a New Jersey Permit to Carry. This must be done in Person at a New Jersey Municipal or State Police department closest to your location, however the probabilty of being issued a Non-Resident New Jersey Permit to Carry is highly unlikely.
Note: Armoured truck employees must apply at a New Jersey State Police Deptartment. These permits are generally only valid during working hours.
54-2.3 Criteria for the issuance of a permit to carry a handgun
(a) No application for a permit to carry a handgun shall be approved by a chief police officer of a municipality, the Superintendent or the Superior Court, unless the applicant:
1. Is a person of good character who is not subject to any of the disabilities which would prevent him or her from obtaining a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card as provided in this chapter;
2. Has demonstrated that at the time of the application for the permit he or she is thoroughly familiar with the safe handling and use of handguns; and
3. Has demonstrated a justifiable need to carry a handgun.N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4 Application for a permit to carry a handgun
(b) Each applicant shall demonstrate a thorough familiarity with the safe handling and use of handguns by indicating in the space provided therefor on the application form, and on any sworn attachments there to, any relevant information. Thorough familiarity with the safe handling and use of handguns shall be evidenced by:
1. Completion of a firearms training course substantially equivalent to the firearms training approved by the Police Training Commission as described by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6j;
2. Submission of an applicant's most recent handgun qualification scores utilizing the handgun(s) he or she intends to carry as evidenced by test firings administered by a certified firearms instructor of a police academy, a certified firearms instructor of the National Rifle Association, or any other recognized certified firearms instructor; and
3. Passage of any test in this State's laws governing the use of force administered by a certified instructor of a police academy, a certified instructor of the National Rifle Association, or any other recognized certified instructor.
(c) The information in (b) above shall be accompanied and validated by certifications of the appropriate instructor(s).
(d) Each application form shall also be accompanied by a written certification of justifiable need to carry a handgun, which shall be under oath and which:
1. In the case of a private citizen shall specify in detail the urgent necessity for selfprotection, as evidenced by specific threats or previous attacks which demonstrate a special danger to the applicant's life that cannot be avoided by means other than by issuance of a permit to carry a handgun. Where possible the applicant shall corroborate the existence of any specific threats or previous attacks by reference to reports of such incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies; or
2. In the case of employees of private detective agencies, armored car companies and private security companies, that:
i. In the course of performing statutorily authorized duties, the applicant is subject to a substantial threat of serious bodily harm; and
ii. That carrying a handgun by the applicant is necessary to reduce the threat of unjustifiable serious bodily harm to any person.
(e) The completed application together with two sets of the applicant's fingerprints and fees as established by N.J.A.C. 13:59 in accordance with N.J.S.A. 53:1-20.5 et seq., four photographs (1 1/2 x 1 1/2 square), a consent for mental health records search form designated SP 66, and apermit fee of $ 20.00 payable to the County Clerk where the permit is to be issued shall be submitted to the chief police officer of the municipality in which the applicant resides, or the Superintendent:
1. If there is no full time police department in the municipality where the applicant resides; or
2. If the applicant is a non-resident of this State or if the applicant is an employee of an armored car company.