New Jersey Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for New Jersey Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact New Jersey gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to New Jersey can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

New Jersey State Constitution

The New Jersey Constitution does not explicitly state the right to keep and bear arms, but Article I, Section 1 states:

All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

New Jersey Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 1

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.

New Jersey Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 2(a)

The people have the right freely to assemble together, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances.

New Jersey Constitutional Provision Article I, Section 18

New Jersey Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

New Jersey NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

New Jersey NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
New Jersey "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

New Jersey State Firearm & Hunting Associations

Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (NRA-Affiliated)
New Jersey Second Amendment Society
Central Jersey Rifle & Pistol Club
New Jersey Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
New Jersey Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
New Jersey NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
New Jersey Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

New Jersey Gun Shows and FFLs

New Jersey Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
New Jersey Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
New Jersey FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

New Jersey's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

New Jersey Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of New Jersey Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

New Jersey Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

New Jersey State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
New Jersey State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
New Jersey Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
New Jersey Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

>New Jersey State Business Tax Climate Rankings

New Jersey State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in New Jersey (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo