Navigating New Jersey’s gun laws is essential for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts. This 2025 guide covers ghost guns, 80% lowers, concealed carry, magazine limits, and more, ensuring you stay compliant and informed in New Jersey. For related resources, check out our detailed breakdown of ghost gun laws, 80% lowers, and more.
Summary and Gun-Friendliness Rating for New Jersey
Summary: New Jersey has stringent gun laws, with an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine limit, a 7-day waiting period for handguns, red flag laws, and universal background checks.
Gun-Friendliness Rating:
0% – 0 = Strictest gun laws, 100 = Most gun-friendly
Assault Weapons Ban in New Jersey
New Jersey enforces a ban on certain firearms defined as assault weapons. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Magazine Capacity Limits in New Jersey
New Jersey restricts firearm magazines to a maximum capacity of 10 rounds. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Ghost Gun Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey regulates ghost guns, typically requiring serialization and background checks for frames and receivers. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Concealed Carry in New Jersey
- Permit Type:
- May-issue (Giffords Law Center)
- Description:
- New Jersey is a may-issue state, where authorities have discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.
Waiting Period in New Jersey
New Jersey enforces a 7(hg)-day waiting period for firearm purchases. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Red Flag Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey has enacted red flag laws, allowing temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a danger. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Safe Storage Requirements in New Jersey
Requirement Level: Medium (Source: Giffords Law Center)
Description: New Jersey has moderate safe storage requirements, potentially involving locking devices in certain situations.
Background Checks in New Jersey
New Jersey mandates universal background checks for nearly all firearm sales, including private transfers. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Open Carry in New Jersey
Open carry of firearms is generally allowed in New Jersey, potentially subject to local restrictions or permit requirements in certain areas. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Types of Guns Regulated in New Jersey
In addition to assault weapons, New Jersey may regulate other specific types of firearms. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Important Legal Cases in New Jersey
- Antonyuk v. James (ongoing): Concealed carry law challenge (Source: Giffords Law Center)
- New Jersey v. Rogers (2018): Firearm licensing laws
- Cheeseman v. New Jersey (2017): Concealed carry permits
- Grewal v. Defense Distributed (2020): 3D-printed gun regulations
Our Opinion on New Jersey’s Gun Laws
As advocates for the Second Amendment, Husky Armory finds New Jersey’s gun laws, with a dismal rating of 0/100, to be a severe infringement on constitutional rights. New Jersey has stringent gun laws, with an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine limit, a 7-day waiting period for handguns, red flag laws, and universal background checks—a litany of restrictions that stifles the freedoms of law-abiding citizens while doing little to address actual crime. The right to bear arms is a cornerstone of American liberty, and New Jersey’s heavy-handed approach undermines that fundamental principle.
We urge New Jersey to reconsider its stance, particularly on measures like assault weapons bans and universal background checks, which disproportionately burden responsible gun owners. The Second Amendment exists to protect against such overreach, and New Jersey must work to dismantle these barriers to ensure its citizens can exercise their rights without fear of government intrusion. Liberty demands nothing less.
Disclaimer: This guide provides a general overview and is not legal advice. Gun laws change frequently. Always consult official state statutes and qualified legal counsel for specific guidance. Information primarily sourced from Giffords Law Center and state legislative websites as of April 2025.
