Obtaining a NJ or NY FID and Gun Permits

This Just In! New Disqualifier For Owning Firearms In New Jersey

Under A796 There Is A New Disqualifer For Owning Firearms In New Jersey

Except as hereinafter provided, a person shall not be denied a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card, unless the person is known in the community in which the person lives as someone who has engaged in acts or made statements suggesting the person is likely to engage in conduct, other than justified self-defense, that would pose a danger to self or others, or is subject to any of the disabilities set forth in this section or other sections of this chapter. A handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card shall not be issued:
(13) To any person who has previously been voluntarily admitted to inpatient treatment pursuant to P.L.1987, c.116 (C.30:4-27.1 et seq.) or involuntarily committed to inpatient or outpatient treatment pursuant to P.L.1987, c.116 (C.30:4-27.1 et seq.), unless the court has expunged the person’s record pursuant to P.L.1953, c.268 (C.30:4-80.8 et seq.);

• Previously, ONLY involuntary commitments were a hard disqualifier.
• The State has now backloaded decades of mental health records into their NICS System, if someone has had a past VOLUNTARY commitment, but owns guns, DO NOT ASSUME it’s not an issue. Both Juvenile and Adult commitments/admissions apply,
• Should this apply to you, you ONLY have 5 days to surrender their FPIC (FID Card), as the law states: “A firearms purchaser identification card shall be void if the holder becomes subject to any of the disabilities set forth in subsection c. of this section, whereupon the card shall be returned within five days by the holder to the superintendent, who shall then advise the licensing authority.”
  
• Those falling into this trap are also getting into hot water over the fact, it’s now undeniably clear that they have lied on previous applications on these two questions which are on every NJ firearms application and the FARS system.
• Several people who have been caught by this new trap, either on FPIC Address Change, new P2P, or PTC application have been asked to turn in their firearms to their police department.
• If this applies to you, please contact an attorney ASAP and discuss your situation to ensure you navigate this properly, as it’s more than a mental health expungement.
• This NEW HARD disqualifier, is separate and distinct from the longstanding “subjective” catchall of “ (5) To any person where the issuance would not be in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare because the person is found to be lacking the essential character or temperament necessary to be entrusted with a firearm. 

Living In NJ

First-time applicants looking to obtain an FID and gun permit, and those looking for additional pistol permits in New Jersey, must follow the following steps. 

• Step 1: The FARS System
  • NJ has switched over to the more convenient online application form called “FARS” (Firearms Application & Registration System), this is the new digital way to complete an application for a Firearms ID and gun permits. Click here to open the FARS application.   
• Step 2: Police ORI Numbers
  • When filling out the application, you will need your town’s ORI number, we have all the ORI numbers conveniently listed below by county.
• Step 3: The Purpose
  • When filling out your initial FID/pistol permit request, select the boxes for:
    •   Initial Firearms Purchaser Identification Card
      •  When you select “Initial Firearms Purchaser Identification Card” a powerpoint presentation will appear below. This is the State’s “mandatory” firearms training. All you have to do is click through the slideshow. There is no quiz or test on the material. 
    •   Permit to Purchase a Handgun
      
  • If you are looking to change your address, sex, name, or apply for a duplicate/lost FID card, please click the appropriate box.
    • Change of Address on Identification Card
    • Change of Sex on Identification Card
    • Change of Name on Identification Card
    • Electronic Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (for duplicate or lost Identification Card)
  • Have You Been Fingerprinted?
    • If this is your initial application for an FID card, you will have to be fingerprinted through IdentoGo. If you have not already been fingerprinted, select “No”. Scheduling with IndentoGo will be covered later.
    • If you are re-applying for pistol purchase permits, you will be asked for your FID number.
  • Are you a police officer for a Federal, State, or Local Law Enforcement Agency?
    • Answer appropriately.
  • Number of Permits?
    • You are not limited to one amount of purchase permits, however, you may not be able to execute each permit within the one hundred and eighty (180) day period that each permit may be valid for. The purchase of one handgun per permit is limited to one handgun every thirty (30) calendar days as per N.J.S. 2C:58-3i. If you wish to purchase more than one handgun within a thirty (30) day period you must apply for a Multiple Handgun Purchase Exemption as per N.J.S. 2C:58-3.4 and meet one of the following criteria.
    • It is recommended to apply for no more than 3 permits at a single time. Every time you want to purchase a pistol, you will have to go through this entire process (minus the fingerprinting).
  • Do you wish to apply for a multiple handgun purchase exemption?
    • You have 180 days to use the permits you apply for. There are special exemptions, generally, you will select “No” for this section unless you fall into one of the special exceptions outlined on the FARS page.
• Step 4: Personal Information
  • Fill out appropriately.
  • Application Photograph
    • You are now required to upload a square photo of yourself which will be displayed on your FID card. You can use your phone to take this photo. Make sure to set your camera ratio to “square” or 1×1 for the correct image size.
    • Passport style color photograph of applicant without wearing a hat or sunglasses is required to be uploaded. Photographs must be passport style – 2 inch x 2 inch with a light background.
• Step 5: Identification Information
  • Fill out appropriately.
• Step 6: Contact Information
  • Fill out appropriately.
• Step 7: Background Information
  • Fill out appropriately.
• Step 8: References
  • You will need the names and contact information of 2 non-family references. These references will receive an email survey on your behalf. Your application will not process until these references fill out their survey. Make sure their email addresses/names/contact information are correct before submitting.
• Step 9: Review, Payment and Submit

If this is your initial application for an FID card and purchase permits you will need to be fingerprinted.

Fingerprints will need to be processed through IdentoGo. Use this link to schedule or manage your appointment.

• What to Bring:
  • Select the Identification including, Drivers License, State ID Card, Passport, etc.

Living Outside Of NJ – Applying For A Non-Resident NJ FID

If you are an out-of-state resident looking to purchase ammunition, rifles, and shotguns at the Gun For Hire Gun Store, apply for your non-resident NJ FID card. 

Follow the “Living In NJ” steps above. For Step 2, please use the appropriate State Police ORI number listed below under “New Jersey State Police ORI Numbers”. You must use the ORI number for nearest State Police Baracks to where you currently live. EX: If you live in NYC, you would use NJNSP0800 Totowa.

Living In New York – Applying For A New York FID

If you reside in the state of New York, please click here to visit NY’s leading firearm attorney for up-to-date step-by-step information on acquiring a firearm in NY.