New Jersey concealed carry laws and reciprocity

A permit holder who is stopped or detained by a law enforcement officer while carrying a handgun, or while traveling in a vehicle containing one, must immediately disclose that fact and display the permit (N.J.S. 2C:58-4.4(b)); failure to disclose is a fourth-degree crime.

Without a permit, firearms may be transported only unloaded and in a closed, fastened case, gun box or locked trunk under the N.J.S. 2C:39-6 exemptions. NJSP lists the statutory ban on functional firearms in vehicles for permit holders (2C:58-4.6(b)(1)) as not currently enforceable, so a permit holder may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle.

Carrying a handgun concealed on or about the person in a public place without a valid permit to carry under N.J.S. 2C:58-4 is a fourth-degree crime (N.J.S. 2C:58-4.5), unless an exemption in N.J.S. 2C:39-6 applies.

P.L.2022, c.131 eliminated the justifiable-need standard; the chief police officer or State Police superintendent is to issue the permit if the applicant meets the statutory criteria, including the required CCARE training.

Out-of-state residents may apply online for a New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun, which is processed by a New Jersey State Police station; the same permit is issued regardless of residency and is valid for two years.

A permit to carry does not authorize open carry, and carrying a handgun openly is a fourth-degree crime whether or not the person holds a permit; brief incidental exposure while holstering or from shifting clothing is treated as de minimis.

N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a)(24), enacted by P.L.2022, c.131, makes it a crime of the third degree to carry a firearm on private property of any kind unless the owner has given express consent or posted a sign stating that permitted concealed carry is allowed, so on private property not open to the public carrying is barred by default. The New Jersey State Police prohibited-places notice states that, under a court ruling as of December 11, 2025, paragraph (24) is not a prohibited place as to private property held open to the public, where a no-firearms sign therefore rests on the owner's right to exclude rather than on 2C:58-4.6.

Carrying is prohibited in a bar or restaurant where alcohol is served and any site where alcohol is sold for on-premises consumption (N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a)(15)), which NJSP lists as enforceable; permit holders also may not consume alcohol while carrying (2C:58-4.4(a)).

N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a)(10) makes it a third-degree crime to carry a firearm in a park, beach, recreation facility or playground owned or controlled by the State, a county or a municipality, or any part of one, that the governing authority has designated as a gun-free zone based on public safety; the State Police summary current as of December 11, 2025 lists that paragraph as in force while noting that other paragraphs have been enjoined.

Places of worship are not among the enumerated prohibited places in N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a). Paragraph (a)(24), which bars carry on private property without the owner's express consent or a sign permitting it, is not enforced as to private property held open to the public under the court rulings summarized by the State Police as of December 11, 2025, so a permit holder may carry in a place of worship open to the public unless the owner prohibits it; private property not open to the public still requires consent.

Carrying is prohibited in or on any part of the buildings, grounds or parking area of a school, college, university or other educational institution and on any school bus (N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a)(7)), which NJSP lists as enforceable.

N.J.S. 2C:58-4.6(a)(1)-(22) remain enforceable per NJSP, including government buildings, courts, polling places, schools and colleges, child care, zoos, designated gun-free parks and beaches, youth sports events, public libraries and museums, bars and restaurants serving alcohol, cannabis retailers, entertainment venues, casinos, airports and transit hubs, and health care facilities, plus private property not open to the public without consent. NJSP lists (a)(23) film sets and the default ban on private property open to the public as not enforceable; the en banc Third Circuit is reviewing the law after vacating its September 2025 panel opinion.

Deadly force is not justified if the actor knows the necessity can be avoided by retreating with complete safety (N.J.S. 2C:3-4(b)(2)(b)), except that a person need not retreat from his or her own dwelling, including the porch, unless the initial aggressor.

Possessing a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds is a fourth-degree crime (N.J.S. 2C:39-1(y), 2C:39-3(j)). The en banc Third Circuit held the limit unconstitutional on July 17, 2026, but stayed its ruling on August 4, 2026 pending Supreme Court review, so the law remains in effect.

New Jersey bans possession of 'assault firearms' as defined in N.J.S. 2C:39-1(w) except by dealers, active-duty law enforcement and military. The en banc Third Circuit held the ban unconstitutional as to semi-automatic rifles on July 17, 2026, but stayed its ruling on August 4, 2026 pending Supreme Court review, so the law remains in effect.

Knowingly possessing any firearm silencer is a fourth-degree crime under N.J.S. 2C:39-3(c).

New Jersey's 'sawed-off shotgun' definition includes a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches or a modified rifle under 26 inches overall (N.J.S. 2C:39-1(o)); it is a prohibited weapon that cannot lawfully be possessed except by military and law enforcement acting in their duties.

Knowingly possessing a sawed-off shotgun (shotgun barrel under 18 inches or modified overall length under 26 inches) is a third-degree crime under N.J.S. 2C:39-3(b); no permit or license can be obtained for one.