Hello Fellow NJ Gun Owners,
I am a life long resident of PA but will shortly be a resident of southern NJ for the first time in my life.
I am very aware that gun laws in NJ are vastly different then PA and have done a lot of research, but I want to ask the amateur professionals some questions to make sure I am 100% correct about what gun ownership means in NJ. (i.e I don't want to become one of those PA residents that does something technically illegal then have to beg Christe to pardon me because of my stupidity).
Firearm Owners ID. Even though it appears as part of my move, transporting firearms to NJ would fit into one of the few narrow exemptions provided for by law, it appears that it is best to transport my firearms after I obtain a FOID card from the local PD. I don't mind doing so (but it is annoying) but some report that it takes months to obtain this card once the paperwork is followed. Can anyone confirm this is true? I have a good friend who is going to take custody of my firearms in PA, but I would like to transport them to NJ and legally possess and transport them as soon as possible.
Handgun Permit. I know a PA LTCF is no good in Jersey and from what I read on the internet it doesn't sound like it is even worth applying for one. I am told there are gun "friendly" areas of South Jersey where getting a permit is remotely possible, but generally NJ is effectively a no issue state barring extraordinary circumstances or political connection. It isn't that I don't mind a good fight for my rights, but having a permit denial in the public record could affect my other non-resident permits. But, if there is a possible way to legally obtain a permit and a remote chance of getting one I would like to know.
Transit of Long Guns. It seems that with a FOID card you can transport long arms as long as they are LOCKED and the ammo is also LOCKED (different from PA...also I have an SUV without a separate trunk). Without a FOID it would appear that you can only transport long guns directly to and from for circumstances that fall within the narrow exceptions of the law (going to and from range, gun smith, etc.) Please let me know if this understanding is correct. Also what qualifies as "locked"? My gun cases have punch outs for combination or pad locks, but I would have to secure them with three locks so they really wouldn't open at all. Should I invest in some new gun cases to avoid problems?
Carrying Handguns. My take is that unless you have a handgun permit you can only really carry in your house. I've seen some mixed opinions about yard or other such areas of private property (I will have a small backyard and front yard), but the general opinion seems to be don't carry your handgun outside of the four physical corners of your house without a permit. Is this correct?
"Cop Killer" Rounds. Sounds like the NJ Superior Court has decided transit of HP rounds into NJ does not qualify for interstate transit exemption and that NJ law does not allow from a move exception. Advice seems to be ditch your out of state HP rounds and buy them again in NJ if you want to. Is that right?
"High Capacity" Magazines. It seems like the standard advice is just sell them or leave them in PA. Simple possession of them is illegal no matter how transported or possessed. Sounds like I should sell my Glock 30 round mags before I move, right?
Miss Anything? I'm surprised that in 2016 with gun rights trending that NJ is still so anti-gun. But, you have to live with the laws of the land in which you live. Did I miss anything that I should know about? Is NJ really as anti-gun as the internet portrays? One thing is for sure, I don't want to end up being a news story about how an overzealous local cop arrests me simply because I overlooked some technicality when it comes to transit, carry, etc. Any further advice is welcome and appreciated in advance.
