DonkeyPunch 9 Posted October 23, 2010 I've done some Googling and searching on this forum and it seems guns don't need to be registered, however, I found the following on the Lower Township Police Dept's website: Q: I am a resident, can I register my firearm with the Lower Township Police Department?A: Yes, you must. Pursuant to New Jersey Law, all firearms must be registered with the police department in your town. http://www.lowertownshippolice.com/faqs.htm#10 Any clue what this is about? My situation: I've lived in NJ all of my life except for four years in which I was in the Army. While stationed in another state, I bought a refurbished 9mm pistol from a gun shop. Now that I'm back in NJ, do I need to get any sort of permit for it or register it with any agency? Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 23, 2010 Nope - you don't have to. Handguns are technically registered through the use of PP's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonkeyPunch 9 Posted October 23, 2010 Nope - you don't have to. Handguns are technically registered through the use of PP's. PPs? Pistol Permits? I don't have a pistol permit. All I have is the weapon and receipt from the gun shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted October 23, 2010 Did you just buy a pistol or a rifle/shotgun? Rifles/shotguns don't need to be registered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonkeyPunch 9 Posted October 23, 2010 I'll post the relevant part of my OP again: My situation: I've lived in NJ all of my life except for four years in which I was in the Army. While stationed in another state, I bought a refurbished 9mm pistol from a gun shop. Now that I'm back in NJ, do I need to get any sort of permit for it or register it with any agency? Thanks. I was relatively certain there was nothing further I had to do. The police dept's website that I posted in the OP had me doubting myself. Your post mentioning pistol permits has me doubting myself even more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 264 Posted October 23, 2010 Lower Township is misleading you. You do not have to register your guns purchased out of state per NJ State Law. Just be careful with magazine capacity. ETA: NJ offers an optional program to register your guns, if you'd like. Personally, I wouldn't do it. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenw 293 Posted October 23, 2010 There is no mandatory registration of firearms legally purchased in another state. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonkeyPunch 9 Posted October 23, 2010 Just be careful with magazine capacity. What's the allowable capacity for pistols? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
67gtonut 847 Posted October 23, 2010 What's the allowable capacity for pistols? 15rds Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonkeyPunch 9 Posted October 23, 2010 15rds Perfect, that's exactly the capacity of my mags. Thanks for the quick responses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joecs1 11 Posted October 23, 2010 Im not sure but I think you must have an FID card though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
67gtonut 847 Posted October 23, 2010 Im not sure but I think you must have an FID card though. Nah.... dont have to have it..... FID card is for purchasing longguns, and now pistol ammo within this state..... not required for handgun ownership Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regulator72 80 Posted October 23, 2010 Nah.... dont have to have it..... FID card is for purchasing longguns, and now pistol ammo within this state..... not required for handgun ownership Certainly not a bad idea to put forth the time/effort into obtaining one tho... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
67gtonut 847 Posted October 23, 2010 Certainly not a bad idea to put forth the time/effort into obtaining one tho... Oh.... agreed. No doubt, going to need it regardless.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted October 25, 2010 When you go to your station for an FID, don't mention anything about owning the pistol, not like it would matter, it will just make it go smoother, considering you got that response from them. Although it seems to me that only ~2 officers know the gun laws at PD's, and it's basically the ones that do all the paperwork. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WCLW 1 Posted October 29, 2010 I heard stories about people getting arrested because their flight was re-directed to Newark Airport. When they landed and received their handgun from checked luggage they were arrested because they lacked a NJ FID card. I was under the assumption that you should always have your FID card with you when you have a gun off your property (range, gunsmith, just bought one, even buying ammo at the store for a pistol requires my FID card [Dicks Sporting Goods]) Am I right or misinformed once again? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pizza Bob 1,488 Posted October 29, 2010 Per the Newark case - that was guy from Utah. He has since sued all concerned. Not sure that it is over yet, but he was in the right and it will ultimately (if it hasn't already) cost the police a lot of money. The FPID is a firearms ID that is required to purchase long guns. There is no statute that requires you to carry it with you when you are legally in possession of arms. It has been suggested by the AG's office that it would be a good idea to have one and have it with you when transporting, but it's not a law. Adios, Pizza Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LorenzoS 100 Posted October 29, 2010 I heard stories about people getting arrested because their flight was re-directed to Newark Airport. When they landed and received their handgun from checked luggage they were arrested because they lacked a NJ FID card. I was under the assumption that you should always have your FID card with you when you have a gun off your property (range, gunsmith, just bought one, even buying ammo at the store for a pistol requires my FID card [Dicks Sporting Goods]) Am I right or misinformed once again? Thanks! In that case, he was busted for violating other transport rules, none of which would have been mitigated by an FPID card. Plus, he was later found not guilty becuase he did not actually violate any law. After incurring a huge legal bill of course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonkeyPunch 9 Posted November 3, 2010 I heard stories about people getting arrested because their flight was re-directed to Newark Airport. When they landed and received their handgun from checked luggage they were arrested because they lacked a NJ FID card. I doubt any of the arrests were for not having a FOID. The man from Utah that Pizza Bob mentioned was arrested for possession of a handgun without a permit to carry and unlawful possession of hollow-point ammunition. http://www.lexisone.com/lx1/caselaw/freecaselaw?action=OCLGetCaseDetail&format=FULL&sourceID=gdih&searchTerm=hZcO.fCja.ZCaW.GadX&searchFlag=y&l1loc=FCLOW In that case, he was busted for violating other transport rules, none of which would have been mitigated by an FPID card. Plus, he was later found not guilty becuase he did not actually violate any law. After incurring a huge legal bill of course. I'm not sure why charges were dropped, but I'm not sure it's because he didn't violate any laws (charges are sometimes dropped for many more reasons other than no laws being violated). In the link I provided above, the Utah man (Revell) picked up his luggage in NJ and went to his hotel room with it. He also stated that he was transporting his gun and ammunition to PA so he could drive to Utah with it for protection. I'm no legal expert, but I'm not so sure he went about doing things to the letter of the law. The conclusion in the article I linked to says that "Section 926A does not apply to Revell because his firearm and ammunition were readily accessible to him during his stay in New Jersey." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJ609 22 Posted November 3, 2010 The sad thing is that this PD is totally off base, and not following the law at all by saying it's required. Yet nothing can really be done about it. It's not like you can complain to them to update their website if you ever hope to get a FPID.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob B 103 Posted November 3, 2010 I doubt any of the arrests were for not having a FOID. The man from Utah that Pizza Bob mentioned was arrested for possession of a handgun without a permit to carry and unlawful possession of hollow-point ammunition. http://www.lexisone....g=y&l1loc=FCLOW I'm not sure why charges were dropped, but I'm not sure it's because he didn't violate any laws (charges are sometimes dropped for many more reasons other than no laws being violated). In the link I provided above, the Utah man (Revell) picked up his luggage in NJ and went to his hotel room with it. He also stated that he was transporting his gun and ammunition to PA so he could drive to Utah with it for protection. I'm no legal expert, but I'm not so sure he went about doing things to the letter of the law. The conclusion in the article I linked to says that "Section 926A does not apply to Revell because his firearm and ammunition were readily accessible to him during his stay in New Jersey." The last time I checked the docket for the Revell case it showed over 125 filings or events in the case since Jan '06. I attached the three that I thought were most important. In short, the good news is that the charges were dropped and Revell got his gun back (two years later). The bad news is that, in the civil case, the judge decided that the arresting officer had probable cause and that ANJRPC could not be a plaintiff. After probable cause was affirmed, the case fell apart and Revell's claims were dismissed. However, the interesting and unusuall thing is that ANJRPC appealed the decision to remove them as a plaintiff. The appeal was granted and the case was reopened. So, the last time I looked, the case was continuing with ANJRPC as the only plantiff. Go figure! Revell v Port Auth Opinion 033109.pdf revell USCA Opinion 042309.pdf ANJRPC amended complaint 052909.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob B 103 Posted November 17, 2010 I just got off the phone with the Lower Township Police Department. They were very professional and cooperative. There was a two week period where they were checking that what I was saying was correct, but they have agreed to change their website to more accurately reflect the true legal requirements. The new language was read to me over the phone. It wasn't perfect, but the important errors have been corrected (I thought it wise not to dwell on the minutia). I was told that it will take a few days to update the website, but it will be updated to reflect the changes. If anyone else has any similar problems with their local PD's, please post them. I, and NJ2AS will do our very best to work constructively with your PD to get the discrepancies corrected, while you are able to remain anonymous. Thanks, OP, for bringing this up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob B 103 Posted November 17, 2010 The change has been made. Q: I am a resident, can I register my firearm with the Lower Township Police Department? A: You can register your firearm with the Lower Township Police Department by completing a "Voluntary Form of Registration" (SP650I) Should you have questions regarding this form, contact the Firearms Investigations Unit, New Jersey State Police, P.O. Box 7068, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068, (609) 882-2000, ext. 2060 or 2061 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted November 17, 2010 nice job... seems anjrpc is sueing for legal fees and the right to pass through with out being arrested.. cool thing is they name the arresting officer this will help other officers learn more about the law and understand it....well at least we hope it will.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest megaman Posted November 17, 2010 Dont bother registering it, you dont need to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BRaptor 68 Posted November 17, 2010 The change has been made. Hey! Way to win one for the NJ2AS! I know it seems small, but as it's been said before, ours will be a victory of a thousand cuts. Perhaps you could start a "NJ2AS Victories" sticky in the NJ2AS section, or perhaps here in the "NJ Gun Laws" section? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrjam2jab 9 Posted November 18, 2010 Q: I am a resident, can I register my firearm with the Lower Township Police Department? A: Although not required by law, you may register your firearm with the Lower Township Police Department by completing a "Voluntary Form of Registration" (SP650I) Think this is more correct. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest megaman Posted November 19, 2010 The change has been made. [/left] Nice job man. I applaud you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob B 103 Posted November 19, 2010 Thank you. The wording isn't perfect, but the egregious part has been fixed and I decided it was better to say thank you and move on rather then dwell on minutia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freedom-First 2 Posted November 25, 2010 I believe at issue here is not the direct ownership or possession of he pistol, rather how, when, where you acquired it and more importantly how you brought it into the state. I believe that the transportation of a pistol purchased in another state into NJ is illegal. Hence, in order to be compliant, you would need to do a FFL to FFL transfer. In order to do that, you need a FPID and a PPP, which would effectively register the gun anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites