I have been listening and participating in the Gun debate ever since it started and decided to write this little article after encountering many people who do not understand the gun laws in the state of New Jersey.
Most people I spoke with seemed to think that anybody could simply walk into a gun store in NJ and purchase a firearm! Some people understand that there is some sort of control governing that process but not sure of what it entails.
Here is a step by step break down of the process every NJ resident has to follow in order to be eligible to purchase a firearm:
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1-You must apply for a "Firearm ID card" which you will need every time you purchase a firearm. In order to do so you will need to obtain an application package from your local "Township or Police station"
2-The application contains multiple forms that all must be completed "but not signed" before being submitted.
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3-Each applicant must fill the forms and agree to a background check of his/her MENTAL RECORDS.
4-Each applicant must be finger printed and his prints sent to the FBI for approval.
5-Each applicant must provide the names and addresses of two acquaintances that could vouch for his/her character "Both will be contacted by the police and asked to fill a questioner about the character of the applicant.
6-Each applicant must provide his/her work contacts and "usually" the police contacts his/her supervisor and inform them about the applicant's intentions to purchase a firearm and inquire about his/her character.
7-Once all forms had been filled; they need to be signed before the person whom handles this process at your town/police department.
8-It, usually, takes anywhere between one month up to one year before you get a response back.
9-The Firearm ID card "Once issued" is valid only for purchasing "LONG" Firearms such as: rifles and shotguns.
10-Each time you need to purchase a firearm from a gun store you need to fill another application at the store and they will contact the "NICS" (which stands for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System) and charge you $15 for the process and wait to be approved for the purchase. Basically going over the process once again!
11-When purchasing a handgun, a person must apply for a separate permit for each handgun "Going through the original process each time"
12-Each handgun permit is valid for only one hand gun purchase and valid for 90 days and could, only, be renewed for another 90 days.
13-In the State of NJ residents can purchase one handgun per month only unless they obtain a special permit from the authorities.
14-A handgun permit is made up of 4 copies and upon the purchase of a hand gun the seller is responsible to sending one copy to the issuing authority.
The above is the process for purchasing firearms in the state in NJ. We are considered one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to Firearms. Those people that seek to impose more restrictions need to educate themselves firsthand before demanding even more regulations that basically are already in place.
I find it very interesting that the majority of those who seek to impose bans on firearms do not own any guns or even had ever fired one.
It would be as if I advocate the banning of Minivans even though I do not own one, never driven one and don't know much about them in the first place.
We do not have to be so radical about each side of the issue. I believe that we could work together for the protection of both innocent people and the second Amendment. But we need to educate ourselves first and be reasonable at all times.
