The discussion below lists permits that ONLY apply to the ordinary purchase and transport of a permitted weapon for personal use.  If you are interested in becoming a gun dealer or gunsmith, etc., additional State and Federal Regulations apply.  Inquire.

Definitions:

• A firearm is any gun of any type.  Read the entire definition.
• A handgun is any pistol, revolver or other firearm originally designed or manufactured to be fired by the use of a single hand.  More stringent rules apply to handguns.

Permits:

The Firearms Purchaser Identification Card is required to purchase a rifle or shotgun.

• Must be at least eighteen years of age.
• Required to purchase a rifle (including Black Powder & BB or Pellet) and shotgun.
• You need not be a citizen of the United States to apply for an ID card.
• You may purchase long-guns with your firearms ID card at licensed gun shops in New Jersey .  You may purchase long-guns at any federally licensed dealer in any state.  You may also purchase any long-guns from any private citizen who resides within the State of New Jersey , while actually in New Jersey .
• Duplicate cards are available to those who have been previously issued a Firearms Purchaser Card absent revocation (excepting court order).  An application for a duplicate card will be accepted from those who have lost their card or had it stolen, have a mutilated card, or has a change of name, address, or gender.
• You must report a Change of Name or Address to us, so we can reissue the card.  An ID card with the incorrect address may not be used to purchase a firearm.
• If you have NOT been fingerprinted within the last two years, you will have to be fingerprinted again whenever the card is reissued.

A Handgun Purchase Permit is required to purchase a handgun.

• Must be at least twenty-one years of age.
• Required to purchase handguns, handgun frames, BB/Pellet handguns, and muzzle loading pistols.
• You must live in New Jersey to apply for a permit to purchase a handgun.
• You may purchase handguns with your permit at licensed gun shops in New Jersey .  You may also purchase handguns from any private citizen who resides within New Jersey , while actually in New Jersey .
• You may not purchase or receive a handgun directly from someone in another state.  It must go through a licensed firearms dealer in the state where the firearm is to be received.
• Permit to purchase good for 90 days and can be renewed by the Chief of Police for an additional 90 days only with renewal signature by the Chief.

A Permit to Carry a Handgun is required for ANY handgun, concealed or not.  It is valid anywhere in the state of New Jersey (there are some exceptions) and must be renewed every 2 years.

Exceptions:

You DO NOT NEED any of these permits or cards for the following:

• Paintball gun - Not a firearm.
• Personal MACE canister under 3/4 ounce.  Read the entire definition  of a personal self-defense device.
• Nautical or aircraft flare gun.  Read the entire definition  of a visual distress signaling device.

It is unlawful to possess a stun gun or any comparable electric shock weapon in New Jersey . Procedure:

In order to qualify to have these documents issued by the Police Chief, you must be a resident of The Borough of Chatham.  (Others go to their own township police, or the State Police.)  There are some restrictions (convicted felon, etc.) which the Firearms officer will discuss with you.

To start the application process you must contact CSO Scott Davis at (973) 635-8000 X 256to schedule an appointment.  He will then furnish you with all the necessary application forms for the appropriate IDs or permits.

Questions pertaining to other areas of firearms acquisition, possession, and transportation are welcomed and encouraged .

Firearms permit fees

"Complete Definition of a Firearm"

"Firearm" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, automatic or semi-automatic rifle, or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectile ball, slug, pellet, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances.  It shall also include, without limitation, any firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person.
2C:39-1

"Definition of an Antique Firearm"

"Antique firearm" means any rifle or shotgun and "antique cannon" means a destructive device defined in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section, if the rifle, shotgun or destructive device, as the case may be, is incapable of being fired or discharged, or which does not fire fixed ammunition, regardless of date of manufacture, or was manufactured before 1898 for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available, and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for its historical significance or value.

"Mace does not require a Permit"

Nothing in N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent any person who is 18 years of age or older and who has not been convicted of a felony, from possession for the purpose of personal self-defense of one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather, is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

"A Distress Signaling Device does not require a Permit"

Nothing in this section and in N.J.S.2C:58-2 shall apply to the sale or purchase of a visual distress signaling device approved by the United States Coast Guard, solely for possession on a private or commercial aircraft or any boat; provided, however, that no person under the age of 18 years shall purchase nor shall any person sell to a person under the age of 18 years such a visual distress signaling device.