It is Easier to Obtain a Permit to Carry in New Jersey BUT You Still Can’t Carry Your Handgun in these “Sensitive Areas” at the Shore or These Other Places in the State.
What Happened to Permits to Carry in New Jersey in June 2022?
Prior to June 2022, it was virtually impossible to obtain a permit to carry in New Jersey, unlike Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, anyone over the age of 21 can obtain a permit to carry provided that they satisfy the other requirements as to good character and fitness. In New Jersey, however, this was not the case, as a concealed carry permit was only given if a person could demonstrate a justifiable need or cause for the gun.
Many of our clients travel between these two states every day. During the summer months, however, many spend time on one or several of New Jersey beaches. I often write blog articles comparing the law between New Jersey and Pennsylvania because people often assume that the laws are similar.
What happened in New York State Rifle v. Bruen
In New York, up until June 2022, the permit to carry law was very similar to New Jersey until the case of New York State Rifle vs. Bruen. In that case, the US Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to require an applicant to show “proper cause” to carry a handgun in public. This Supreme Court ruling effectively made New Jersey a “shall issue” state and a person in New Jersey could obtain a concealed carry permit provided they satisfied the other requirements.
How did New Jersey react to the Bruen decision on permits to carry?
This ruling occurred in June of 2022, but New York State quickly passed gun regulation laws which made it very difficult for a person to carry a handgun even with the permit to carry in that State. New Jersey followed New York and Governor Phil Murphy signed a gun safety bill to strengthen concealed carry laws in New Jersey.
No Guns in Atlantic City Casinos or other “sensitive places”
In February 2024, New Jersey \ Governor Phil Murphy signed a law which banned guns from the following “sensitive places”:
High-density locations
- Entertainment venues, including stadiums, arenas, amusement parks, casinos, racetracks, and publicly owned libraries and museum;
- Youth sporting events and other recreational facilities, such as public parks, beaches, and playground;
- Bars, restaurants where alcohol is served, and any other locations that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption;
- Airports and public transportation hubs
Locations with vulnerable populations
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Daycare and child-care facilities
- Hospitals and health care facilities
- Long-term care facilities and nursing homes
- Correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, and halfway houses
- Homeless shelters
Locations with governmental and First Amendment activity
- Polling places
- Courthouses
- Law enforcement stations and offices
- Government buildings and locations with government meetings
- Demonstrations, protests, and licensed public gatherings
Graves Act – New Jersey’s Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
New Jersey has done its best to discourage gun ownership through this gun safety bill strengthening law despite the Bruen decision. All the mandatory minimum laws under the Graves Act remain, despite the Bruen decision. This is very important! If you are found in possession of a gun or firearm without a permit to carry, you face a mandatory minimum sentence (42 months).
Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in PA & NJ
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