New Jersey Gun Laws
Shall-issue concealed carry. 10-round magazine limit. Assault weapon ban (under active court challenge). Red flag law. Permit to purchase all firearms.
Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-09-25. Official state source.
New Jersey has some of the strictest firearm laws in the nation. Concealed carry became shall-issue after the state's 'justifiable need' standard was struck down following the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision, though New Jersey added an extensive list of 'sensitive places' and other requirements in response. Assault weapons are banned and magazines are limited to 10 rounds — though a Third Circuit en banc panel ruled these bans unconstitutional in July 2026, that ruling is currently stayed while New Jersey seeks Supreme Court review, so both bans remain in force. The state requires a permit to purchase all firearms and has a red flag law. Duty to retreat applies outside the home.
Key facts
- Concealed Carry: Shall-issue permit required (since 2022) (N.J. State Police — Firearms FAQ)
- Open Carry: Prohibited
- Permit to Purchase: Required for all firearms (N.J. State Police — Firearms FAQ)
- Assault Weapon Ban: Yes — assault weapons banned by name and feature (still enforced — July 2026 ruling striking it is on hold) (N.J. Model Jury Charge — Possession of an Assault Firearm (2C:39-5f))
- Magazine Limit: 10 rounds maximum (still enforced — July 2026 ruling striking it is on hold) (N.J. Model Jury Charge — Possession of Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine)
- Waiting Period: Varies by permit type (N.J. State Police — Firearms FAQ)
- Universal Background Check: Required for all sales and transfers (N.J. State Police — Firearms FAQ)
- Red Flag Law (ERPO): Yes — Extreme Risk Protective Order (N.J. Courts — Firearm Removal (ERPO))
- Castle Doctrine: Yes (N.J. Model Jury Charge — Justification: Self-Defense (2C:3-4))
- Stand Your Ground: Duty to retreat outside the home (N.J. Model Jury Charge — Justification: Self-Defense (2C:3-4))
- Concealed Carry Reciprocity: No reciprocity — does not honor any other state's carry permit
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) for long guns and a Permit to Purchase a Handgun for each handgun purchase.
Is New Jersey a shall-issue or may-issue state for concealed carry?
New Jersey became shall-issue after the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision struck down its 'justifiable need' standard. The state responded with an extensive list of 'sensitive places' and other requirements, some of which have faced their own court challenges.
What is the magazine limit in New Jersey?
New Jersey limits magazines to 10 rounds. A Third Circuit appeals court ruled this ban unconstitutional in July 2026, but the ruling is stayed while New Jersey seeks Supreme Court review, so the 10-round limit remains in effect for now.
Does New Jersey have an assault weapon ban?
Yes, for now. New Jersey bans assault weapons by name and feature, and some registered pre-ban weapons may be grandfathered. A Third Circuit appeals court ruled the ban unconstitutional in July 2026, but that ruling is stayed while the state seeks Supreme Court review, so the ban remains in effect for now.
Does New Jersey have a red flag law?
Yes. New Jersey has an Extreme Risk Protective Order law allowing family and law enforcement to petition for temporary firearm removal.
Does New Jersey have stand your ground?
New Jersey recognizes castle doctrine in the home but generally requires a duty to retreat in public if safe to do so.
Does New Jersey recognize concealed carry permits from other states?
No. New Jersey does not honor a carry permit issued by any other state — a non-resident carrying concealed here needs a New Jersey-issued permit, and there is no permitless carry for visitors.
Not legal advice. Laws change; verify with official sources.