Nick S

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to our country.

Welcome from one new gun enthusiast to another. I've been on here for a few days now and these people really seem to know their stuff and have great advice. I agree with everyone else try as many guns as you can before you purchase one.

I didn't realize that they even had one in Trenton. Now that's something I'd be up to going to next year if they have it there again

Kenw, I was thinking the same thing honestly when I first started this whole idea. I see on the NJSP website it does say that you can be denied a firearm if you cannot handle it properly due to an impairment. Good/bad thing for me is that my local PD knows me well. I grew up with a few officers currently employed there. Not sure how this is going to turn out. I'm still saving up the cash for my first firearm so I haven't submit any of the paperwork yet. I definitely will keep you all updated.

This actually happened to my Mom's house in 2004. I was away on business and she was at work and then some after work responsibilities when someone broke into our home. They apparently broke a basement window to get into our home(according to the detective's who investigated). I was extremely lucky because at that time I was working from home most days when I wasn't away on business so I would have been in the house had this been a normal day. Since that day Mom has decided to get a burglar alarm system but it's not top of the line with things like Dirty Harry announcing "Go ahead....make my day punk!" when you enter illegally and activate the alarm system. Due to the economy, I am back living at Mom's house and this is just one of the reasons I want to purchase a firearm.We have a bar near our home and people often hang out there drunk after the bar closes increasing our risk. Also since this is the house I grew up in I remember when I was younger and many people used to climb over the fence from the bar parkinglot and hang out (uninvited) in our backyard. Like one of the other members, our burglary took place during the day and the group of people involved had hit several other houses in the neighborhood. The only large thing that was taken was a laptop computer system and some jewelery that Mom had. Most of the things were small items but lots of them. My guess is our neighbors must have been away to not see the theives leaving our house with things in their hands.The detectives also said since they ate some chocolate that was in the fridge (yes they actually ate chocolate that was in the fridge while they were there)that the burglars were probably jonesing for a drug fix and needed money. Amazing though they had enough money to have a few beers at the bar near my house beforehand. ( That's where they apparently came from when they decided to rob our house) Eventually the group got caught and were convicted of a string of robberies ( I believe somewhere around 70 in total throughout a several county area). Mom was still scared after the burglary and did not choose to do a victim impact statement or appear in court so I'm not sure how much time they served or are hopefully still serving. If I were in the house today and the same thing happened I would definitely use my phone to call the cops. I don't have a firearm yet but I do have a rather large knife that I would arm myself with. (Hence why I want a gun)I'd have to get too close to someone to use a knife. If I were to come home to find that my house was being broken into I would find some cover so that nobody could see me and I would call the police and have them enter the house before me. I would take note of any vehicles in the area that are unfamiliar as potential vehicles that they came in and have the police run those plates.

Thanks for the offer. How are the ranges in Lakewood/Brick for someone in a wheelchair? I heard that perhaps Fort Dix might be the best place for me to shoot, although they don't offer gun rental and since I don't have my own yet that really doesn't help me unless I go there with someone who has a nice selection for me to try.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I may just have to start coming to some of the events of the members of this group. As I said in my initial post I am looking to purchase my first firearm in the near future. I know I still have to go through all the paperwork and I'm not looking forward to all of that but it's what I'll have to do in order to enjoy a firearm in NJ. Perhaps you all could give me some advice. As I said I am a begining shooter. I've fired a few shotguns before but never a handgun and that's what I am looking for. I should also mention that I use a wheelchair for mobility so I have to take that into consideration when selecting a gun. I don't want something with too strong a kick when firing it. I am however looking at keeping the gun in my home to use for self defense so I do want something that's going to get the job done and stop an intruder if I encounter one. Along these lines, I am looking to get some firearms training so that I learn how to use my gun correctly and become VERY profficient with it. If I NEED to use it I want to feel confident that I can use it correctly and get the job done. If any of you have any experience or know of an instructor that has worked with someone in a wheelchair I would appreciate a recommendation. I know that if I do have to use my gun for self defense then I won't be in a range like situation where I will be standing ( ok in my case sitting there)in one spot and able to take my time. I will want to learn and get some tacticle training for using my firearm also. Again thanks so much for the help and suggestions.

I could not have said it better myself. Most people in NJ vote along party lines and traditionally NJ is mostly a Democratic state. When most people in NJ vote they just go into the booth and push the lever that corresponds to their favorite political party that their family has voted for years for. It amazes me how NJ residents always vote the same people in office but they expect a different result each election cycle.

Hi folks! I'm new to wanting to own a firearm but not new to being around them. Grew up with several law enforcement officers in the family and then have worked alongside many fine law enforcement officers throughout my career. I grew up in the vortex better known as NJ and it keeps pulling me back. Recently, my interest in firearm ownership was stoked because I was living in NC doing some contract work and I had many friends there who were all firearm owners and enthusiasts. I am the true newbie to wanting to own a firearm though. I am looking for any and all advice. Haven't decided what I want to buy as my first firearm yet. Hopeful to get the chance to try many different firearms before making my final decision. I've been lurking here for quite some time and finally decided to join and perhaps start asking questions of those with more experience. Looking forward to networking with all of you as I begin my journey down the path to firearms ownership.