In New Jersey, firearm owners are required to get a lifetime Firearm Purchaser card for the purchase of rifles, shotguns or handguns as well as ammunition. To purchase a handgun, a separate permit is needed from the local police department for each handgun to be purchased and expires after 90 days. These, like the initial Firearms Identification card, require in-depth application questioning, multiple references and background checks via the State Bureau of Identification and New Jersey State Police. NJ law states that Firearms Identification approval and/or handgun purchase permit(s) must be issued within 30 days. 

 

Capacities of semiautomatic handguns and rifles (total in magazine excluding chamber) are limited to 15 rounds or less. N.J. Rev. Stat § 2C:39-1y. New Jersey allows the purchase, possession and use of hollowpoint ammunition except in concert with any sort of criminal activity. New Jersey has its own ban on various semi-automatic firearms as well. Police are bound by the Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) in NJ and cannot own those firearms unless they are signed off by the Chief as used in an official capacity. They are exempt from the magazine limits when used in a duty/off duty firearm and approved by the department.

 

It is the express policy of New Jersey legislative and law enforcement authorities that the carrying of a handgun on one's person be strictly limited only to those earning a living through the carrying of a handgun. Theoretically, there exists a route for a civilian to legally carry a handgun, but in reality, is practically nonexistent.

Starting January 1, 2010, New Jersey limited handgun purchases to one per 30 day period.