An NJ gun permit is required before you can buy a firearm in New Jersey. Residents apply online through the New Jersey State Police Firearms Application and Registration System (NJ FARS). A Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) costs $50 and covers rifles and shotguns, a Permit to Purchase a Handgun costs $25 per permit, and a Permit to Carry a Handgun costs $200. Applicants must be fingerprinted, provide two references and pass a background check.
Key Takeaways
- Three main permits: the Firearms Purchaser ID Card, the Permit to Purchase a Handgun and the Permit to Carry a Handgun.
- Current fees: $50 for an FPIC, $25 for each handgun purchase permit and $200 for a carry permit, under fees in effect since December 2022.
- Apply online through NJ FARS, then get fingerprinted through the state’s vendor, IdentoGO.
- Age limits: 18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for handguns.
- Limits apply: one handgun purchase per 30 days, and magazines are limited to 10 rounds.
- Carry permits require firearms training and are valid for two years.
This guide summarizes New Jersey rules as of September 2026 and is not legal advice. Firearm laws change and some provisions are in active litigation, so confirm details with the New Jersey State Police or your local police department.
Types of NJ Gun Permit
| Permit | What it allows | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) | Buy rifles and shotguns and handgun ammunition | $50 (initial) | Does not expire, but must be updated if information changes |
| Permit to Purchase a Handgun | Buy one handgun per permit | $25 per permit | 90 days, with one possible 90-day extension |
| Permit to Carry a Handgun | Carry a handgun in public, subject to state limits | $200 ($150 municipal plus $50 state) | 2 years |
Most first-time applicants apply for an FPIC and a handgun purchase permit at the same time. A carry permit is a separate application with more requirements.
Who Can Get an NJ Gun Permit?
New Jersey issues permits to applicants who meet age and background requirements. Under state law, a permit can be denied for reasons such as certain criminal convictions, some mental health histories, active restraining orders or being on a federal prohibited list.
| Requirement | Rifles and shotguns (FPIC) | Handguns |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 | 21 |
| Fingerprinting | Required | Required |
| References | 2 | 2 |
| Background check | Required | Required |
| Mental health records consent | Required | Required |
How to Apply for an NJ Gun Permit: Step by Step
- Create an account on NJ FARS. This is the state’s online portal for firearm applications.
- Complete the application for an FPIC, a handgun purchase permit or both. Choose your local police department, or the State Police if your town has no full-time police force.
- Pay the fees online. The FPIC is $50 and each handgun purchase permit is $25.
- Get fingerprinted through IdentoGO, the state’s fingerprint vendor. A separate fingerprinting fee applies.
- Submit your references. Two people who have known you for at least three years and are not related to you receive a questionnaire to complete.
- Sign the mental health records consent form and submit it to your police department.
- Wait for the investigation. Police review your background, references and records.
- Receive your permit or card after approval, then complete your purchase through a licensed dealer.
How Long Does It Take?
State law sets a target of 30 days for police to act on a complete FPIC or handgun purchase permit application for New Jersey residents. In practice, timelines vary by town. Delays often happen when references do not return their forms, so remind yours to respond promptly.
NJ Gun Permit Rules After You Buy
- One handgun per 30 days: New Jersey limits handgun purchases to one in any 30-day period, with limited exceptions.
- Purchase permit deadline: Each handgun purchase permit is valid for 90 days and can be extended once for another 90 days.
- Magazine limit: Magazines holding more than 10 rounds are generally prohibited.
- Assault firearm restrictions: Many rifles defined as assault firearms under state law cannot be sold.
- Safe storage: State law requires safe storage, especially where minors may have access.
- Transport rules: Firearms must be unloaded and secured during transport, unless you hold a valid carry permit.
NJ Carry Permit Requirements
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, New Jersey no longer requires applicants to show “justifiable need” for a carry permit. Instead, a 2022 state law set new requirements, including firearms training, and it listed sensitive places where carry is prohibited.
| Carry permit requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 or older |
| References | Endorsements from people who know you |
| Training | Classroom and range training, including a qualification course |
| Fee | $200 total |
| Validity | 2 years, then renewal |
| Where carry is banned | A list of sensitive places set by state law, parts of which remain in litigation |
Because court rulings on sensitive places continue to change what is enforceable, check the latest State Police guidance before carrying anywhere you are unsure about.
What an NJ Gun Permit Costs in Total
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Firearms Purchaser ID Card | $50 |
| Permit to Purchase a Handgun | $25 each |
| Permit to Carry a Handgun | $200 |
| Fingerprinting | Separate vendor fee |
| Carry training course | Set by the training provider |
These fees rose in December 2022, when New Jersey updated its permit fees for the first time in decades. Before then, an FPIC cost $5 and a handgun purchase permit cost $2.
Common Reasons for Delays or Denials
- References not responding to the questionnaire
- Incomplete applications or missing consent forms
- Old criminal or domestic violence records that require review
- Errors in personal information between your application and records
If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal to the Superior Court within a set period after the denial.
NJ Gun Permit Terms Explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FPIC | Firearms Purchaser Identification Card, required for rifles and shotguns |
| PPH | Permit to Purchase a Handgun, issued one per handgun |
| PCH | Permit to Carry a Handgun |
| NJ FARS | The State Police online Firearms Application and Registration System |
| IdentoGO | The fingerprinting vendor used for New Jersey background checks |
| Issuing authority | Your local police chief, or the State Police Superintendent if your town has no full-time police department |
Checklist Before You Apply
- Confirm your age meets the requirement for the permit you want.
- Choose two references who are not related to you and have known you for at least three years.
- Tell your references to expect a questionnaire and to return it quickly.
- Have a payment method ready for the application and fingerprint fees.
- Book fingerprinting early, since appointment times vary by location.
- Keep copies of your application number and receipts.
Finally, remember that an NJ gun permit is only the first step. After approval, every purchase goes through a licensed dealer, and the dealer completes a background check at the time of sale. Keep your permit and receipts in a safe place, and update your records with police if your address or other information changes.
More Guides for New Jersey Residents
You will need identification when you deal with state agencies, and our guide to NJ 6 points of ID explains the documents the MVC accepts. For more state basics, see our guide to the capital of NJ and our list of NJ towns by county, which helps if you need to identify your local police department. Browse more in our Living in NJ section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About NJ Gun Permit
How much is a gun permit in NJ?
A Firearms Purchaser Identification Card costs $50, each Permit to Purchase a Handgun costs $25 and a Permit to Carry a Handgun costs $200.
How do I apply for an NJ gun permit?
Apply online through the New Jersey State Police NJ FARS portal, get fingerprinted through IdentoGO, submit two references and complete the background check.
How old do you have to be to get a gun permit in NJ?
You must be 18 for a Firearms Purchaser ID Card for rifles and shotguns, and 21 for a handgun purchase permit.
How long is a handgun purchase permit valid in NJ?
A Permit to Purchase a Handgun is valid for 90 days and can be extended once for another 90 days.
How many handguns can I buy in NJ?
New Jersey limits handgun purchases to one in any 30-day period, with limited exceptions.
How long is an NJ carry permit valid?
A Permit to Carry a Handgun is valid for two years and requires firearms training.
Where do I apply for a gun permit in NJ?
Apply online through NJ FARS. Your local police chief handles the application, or the State Police if your town has no full-time police department.
How long does it take to get an NJ gun permit?
State law sets a target of 30 days for resident applications, but timelines vary by town and often depend on how quickly references respond.
Summary
An NJ gun permit starts with an online application through NJ FARS, followed by fingerprinting, two references and a background check. The FPIC costs $50, a handgun purchase permit costs $25 and a carry permit costs $200. Follow the purchase limits, magazine rules and storage laws once you own a firearm, and check State Police guidance for the latest changes before you carry.
