New Jersey Gun Permit Lawyer

Comprehensive Guidance Through New Jersey’s Strict Gun Laws 

Many citizens of New Jersey enjoy hunting or sport shooting but went through a process before they could enjoy their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. This is because New Jersey is known to have strict gun laws in comparison to other states around the country. It is first necessary to note that a Firearm Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) is required to purchase rifles, shotguns, and long guns. Before buying a handgun, a separate permit known as a Handgun Purchase Permit (HPP) is required.

Your city's police department will generally issue these permits and expire within 90 days. It is essential to fill out the applications fully and accurately before submitting them to your local police chief. There is also a small fee to apply, plus the cost of being professionally fingerprinted. Frequently, applications are denied based on accurate or complete information. Background checks are done through the State Bureau of Identification.

Are you dealing with issues involving your gun permit? Call Roberts & Teeter, LLC today at (732) 607-5553 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our New Jersey gun permit attorney!

Understanding Gun Laws in New Jersey

New Jersey has strict laws governing gun purchase, possession, and transportation. Did you know:

• Hollow point ammunition is illegal in New Jersey, with few exceptions, such as within a home.
• New Jersey recently amended its firearms law limiting the ammunition capacity from 15 rounds to 10 rounds.
• As of 2010, New Jersey citizens can purchase only one handgun every 30 days. It is rare, but possible, that a person is granted permission to purchase more than one for a specific purpose such as certain employment.
• Persons with a license are still banned from carrying their firearm on the grounds of any school, college, or university. The same applies to school buses.
• You must be 18 years old to purchase a long firearm and 21 years old to purchase a handgun.
• New Jersey has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the entire country.
• New Jersey does not honor any other state’s permit/license.
• New Jersey has banned assault rifles since 1990.

Appealing a Gun Permit Denial in New Jersey

Being denied a gun permit in New Jersey can be discouraging, but it doesn’t mean the process ends there. Under New Jersey law, if your application for an FPIC, an HPP, or permit to carry is denied, you have the right to appeal that decision. However, the appeals process is complex and time-sensitive. You must file your appeal in the Superior Court in the county where the denial occurred, and you have just 30 days from the date of the denial to do so. 

At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we help clients navigate every stage of this legal process:

• Careful Review of the Denial. We analyze the reasoning behind the denial to determine whether the issuing authority acted within legal limits or misapplied the law.
• Filing the Appeal. We prepare and file a formal appeal in Superior Court, drafting persuasive legal arguments that challenge the basis for denial.
• Gathering Evidence and Supporting Documentation. Our team works with you to obtain character references, mental health evaluations (if applicable), and any other documentation needed to rebut claims that you pose a risk to public safety.
• Court Representation. When your appeal goes before a judge, we advocate on your behalf, demonstrating why your application meets statutory requirements and how the denial was unjustified.
• Expungement Guidance When Applicable. If your denial relates to a prior criminal conviction, we evaluate whether you're eligible for an expungement that could clear the path for future approval.

Don’t attempt to navigate this system alone. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, our gun permit denial appeal lawyer brings in-depth knowledge of New Jersey’s firearms laws and court procedures. Whether you’ve been wrongfully denied or are seeking a second chance, we’re here to help you pursue your rights through the proper legal channels.

Why Gun Permit Applications Are Denied in New Jersey

Gun permit applications in New Jersey are often denied for reasons that aren’t always clear to applicants. Some of the most common grounds for denial include:

• A prior criminal conviction, even for a non-violent or out-of-state offense.
• Alleged issues related to mental health history.
• A finding that issuing the permit would not be in the interest of public health, safety, or welfare under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(c).
• False or incomplete information on the application.
• Active restraining orders, domestic violence records, or prior drug/alcohol concerns.
• Outstanding warrants or pending charges.

Even if these issues seem disqualifying, they may be challenged with the right legal strategy. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we examine the specific basis for your denial and determine the most effective way to appeal. Our team knows how to build a compelling case for why your application deserves reconsideration, helping you assert your rights within New Jersey’s restrictive firearms system.

New Jersey Concealed Carry License

The U.S. Supreme Court in NYSRPA v. Bruen recently struck down a gun law that requires justifiable need before obtaining a concealed carry. According to the decision, individuals have the right to carry firearms in public as self-defense. However, states may restrict concealed carry as they see fit. While state legislators may restrict concealed carry, they cannot legally block the right to concealed carry with justifiable need requirements.

It is important to note that NJ Prosecutors will continue enforcing existing laws within the scope of the Supreme Court Decision.

Similar to the Firearm Purchaser Permit, applications for a license to carry should be submitted to the chief of your city’s police department. Non-residents can apply through the New Jersey State Police. Using their discretion, they may accept or deny your application; however, only a Superior Court judge can issue a carry permit. If you want to learn more about obtaining a license to carry, call Roberts & Teeter today and speak with an attorney on the matter.

Recent Case Law Impacting Gun Permits

2014 New Gun Case Law – In the Matter of the Denial of the Application by George Winston, Jr., for a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card, App. Div. (Accurso, J.A.D.)

On October 31, 2014, the New Jersey Appellate Division released an opinion in which the court ruled that the state could preclude George Winston from obtaining an FPID or a permit to purchase a handgun under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3c(1) even though Mr. Winston obtained certificates of relief for his criminal convictions in the state of New York. Mr. Winston’s attorney argued that the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution required New Jersey to treat Mr. Winston’s relieved criminal convictions out of New York as not disqualifying him from obtaining a firearm in New Jersey.

The court ruled that the Constitution does not compel that result and affirmed the denial of Mr. Winston’s firearm permits. The Law Division judge who originally ruled on the appeal noted that the New York certificates were not the equivalent of expungement under NJ law and, therefore, the NY convictions could be used as reasoning for the denial of Mr. Winston’s gun permit application. The judge also stated that the issuance of the permits would not be in the interest of “public health, safety, or welfare.”

This opinion further proves how difficult it is to obtain an F.P.I.C. card or a permit to buy a handgun in New Jersey. Police chiefs will deny applications for any reason they can, forcing denied applicants to take their matter up on appeal with the judicial system. If you are interested in obtaining an F.P.I.D. card or a permit to purchase a handgun in New Jersey, you need aggressive attorneys who know what they are doing.

Get in Touch with Our New Jersey Gun Permit Attorney

Having a New Jersey gun permit lawyer on your side to review your application and provide guidance on answering certain questions can be beneficial. If you satisfy the criteria set forth by the state of New Jersey, your permit must be issued within 30 days. In reality, the process often takes much longer. If your application for a purchaser's permit is denied, you may appeal that denial. Remember, these permits are for owning and purchasing a firearm, not for carrying a firearm.

Contact Roberts & Teeter today to schedule a FREE consultation with our gun permit lawyer in New Jersey!