New Jersey gun permit requests skyrocket statewide since start of Israel-Hamas war

[Downtownv 1,779]

New Jersey gun permit requests skyrocket statewide since start of Israel-Hamas war

Joe Strupp

Asbury Park Press

 

 

 

 

 

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LAKEWOOD – Statewide requests for gun permits increased nearly 70 percent in the month following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to state data provided to the Asbury Park Press.

The New Jersey State Police received 21,822 online firearm permit requests between Oct. 7, 2023 — the first day of the war in the Middle East — and Nov. 7, 2023, according to Toms River Police Captain Christopher Anderson.

That is an increase of 69% compared to the same period last year when 12,903 applications were received, he said, citing data he obtained through the state police.

More:Platkin says federal stay 'vindicates' NJ gun reform efforts. Here's why

“The October 7^th terrorist attacks in Israel contributed to another recent surge,” Anderson said via email. “The numbers are still red hot compared to ‘normal years.’”  

Toms River saw 583 online requests for firearm identification cards, permits to purchase handguns, or other administrative requests during the first month following the war’s launch, up from 220 during the same period in 2022, Anderson said.

“We’re getting slammed,” Toms River Police Chief Mitchell A. Little said via email.

Further north in Middletown in Monmouth County, the story is the same, according to Lt. John Soltysik of the Middletown Police Department. He reported 196 firearm permit requests in October and 144 in November, up from the usual average of 80 or 90 per month.

“We have definitely had an increase in numbers, it started in October,” he said.

The State Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the permit request increase, while the New Jersey State Police did not respond to a request for comment.

Lakewood, which has the largest Orthodox population in the state, also reported an increase, according to Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer.

“Ever since Israel was attacked we have seen a dramatic increase in gun permit applications as well as NJ concealed carry permits,” Meyer said via email, declining to offer specific data. “I think people saw what happened to unarmed citizens living in Israel and have decided to arm themselves for home and self-protection.”

We Shoot, a gun range store in Lakewood, reported a sales increase in recent weeks as well, according to co-owner Tony Altieri.

“There is definitely a big increase, and a lot of reasons,” he said in an interview. “One is the war in the Middle East.”

But he also pointed to legal changes dating back to 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a New York law that had restricted concealed carry permits to those showing a special need.

More:NJ poised to pass sweeping new gun laws — which will likely end up in court. Here's why

The court ruled that such limitations violated the Second Amendment.

In late 2022, however, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that barred the possession of concealed weapons in certain public locations such as bars, beaches and public libraries in New Jersey.

Gun rights groups filed suit to block the legislation, portions of which have remained in place while an appeal is underway.

“People are afraid they will not be able to (purchase guns) in the future, people wanting to arm themselves and the legal concealed carry permits,” Altieri said.

Alexander Roubian, president and managing editor the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, said the increase is not surprising as people feel a need to protect themselves.

“People are waking up to the reality that the government has no legal obligation to protect you and you are your own first responder and you are responsible for protecting and defending your own life and loved ones,” he said.

But others, such as Thurman Barnes, assistant director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University, offered caution.

More:This new federal court ruling essentially halts NJ's concealed weapons carry restrictions

“I don’t know that it is something that can be considered good,” he said about the increased permit requests. “In the past, surges have occurred when people felt like they were less likely to purchase in the future. In this case, it is certainly possible that people are applying for permits because they feel threatened. We have seen this before. We saw a surge during the pandemic.”

Asked about the impact of more guns in the state, Barnes said, “There are some links that can be made to more guns and the likelihood of more violence. We are not here to advocate against guns, they are here to stay. We encourage people to secure their firearm safely and securely.”

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of three books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at [email protected] and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

 

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/2023/12/07/israel-hamas-war-blamed-for-major-spike-in-nj-gun-permit-applications/71827092007/?utm_source=app-newsalert-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_term=hero&utm_content=papp-asburypark-nletter04

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

Good.  Not happy that the increase in permit apps is being driven by the fear of violence arising from events in Israel/Gaza, BUT Pretty soon NJ's tired argument of "more guns on the street, more violence" is going to look very suspect in the face of 2+ years of increasing permit holders without a corresponding increase in "gun violence".

[Lawnmower2021 423]

Anecdotal: I notice a LOT more new shooters when I go to the range. Not parties of friends, but individuals or couples learning how to shoot.

[10X 3,300]

All those new voting applicants are gonna be mighty pissed-off to learn how long it takes to get an FID, then a P2P, then maybe an  LTC. 

We need more pissed-off voters. 

[siderman 1,138]

I'd like to see a more specific breakdown of initial FPID cards vs permits to purchase. Those stats sometimes get lumped together. A huge surge in initial apps would be real news.

[kirk2022 43]

2 hours ago, 10X said:

All those new voting applicants are gonna be mighty pissed-off to learn how long it takes to get an FID, then a P2P, then maybe an  LTC. 

We need more pissed-off voters. 

Upper Deerfield State police.  Friend applied for LTC    prints, qualifying CCARES and sending all app materials    exactly 2 weeks turn around with permit in hand.    

[Bomber 1,092]

10 hours ago, Downtownv said:

Lakewood, which has the largest Orthodox population in the state, also reported an increase, according to Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer.

“ Meyer said via email, declining to offer specific data. “I think people saw what happened to unarmed citizens living in Israel and have decided to arm themselves for home and self-protection.”

 

Nice to see a Chief of Police admit (sort of) if things go seriously sideways don't expect the cops to protect you.

[Downtownv 1,779]

On 12/7/2023 at 9:23 PM, Bomber said:

Nice to see a Chief of Police admit (sort of) if things go seriously sideways don't expect the cops to protect you.

Don't expect them to protect you now,  either. they have no legal or moral obligation under the law.

[Sota 1,191]

I don't so much want them to protect me, but to fuck off when I need to protect myself.