I just applied for a pistol permit for the first time since the 90's. I assumed I would need to be fingerprinted again since my old prints are probably lost or filed away in a basement somewhere. I noticed this statement on the application site:

"If you have never been fingerprinted before for firearms purposes, you will need to go for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting appointment can be scheduled at https://uenroll.identogo.com/workflows/2F164B after successful submission of this form. However, if you have been fingerprinted before for firearm purposes, upon completion of this form and payment, you will have completed both Firearms Application and 212A requirements."

Does this mean I don't need new prints?

Your past prints were probably on paper, which they don't accept, and they want them electronic now. I went through something similar when just doing a change of address. Since my original prints were paper, they made me get electronic prints, just to do an address change. You'll probably need the new prints.

4 hours ago, Sniper said:

Your past prints were probably on paper, which they don't accept, and they want them electronic now. I went through something similar when just doing a change of address. Since my original prints were paper, they made me get electronic prints, just to do an address change. You'll probably need the new prints.

Don't know about that.

I was fingerprinted, on paper when I first got my FID in the 70s.  Lived out of state, came back, and required to be fingerprinted again, on paper, in the 80s.  Changed addresses several times and never asked to be fingerprinted again.

Your SBI number on your FID identifies your prints to NJ.  The state has your fingerprint classification and that doesn't change. That's good for the rest of your life.

IIRC the issuing authority can request you be fingerprinted again.  More likely to do that if you don't have your SBI IMO. A police department can look up your SBI from other identifiers.

I'd ask the issuing authority if they want you to be fingerprinted again.

56 minutes ago, GRIZ said:

Don't know about that.

I was fingerprinted, on paper when I first got my FID in the 70s.  Lived out of state, came back, and required to be fingerprinted again, on paper, in the 80s.  Changed addresses several times and never asked to be fingerprinted again.

It might depend on the individual PD. I got my FID originally in the late 70's, then moved around, out of state, etc. I never change the address at that time. Went to do a address change in 2011, in Jackson, and they required the prints to be in electronic form. I basically had to go through the whole process again, just like I was applying for a brand new FID. They saw my existing FID card but apparently didn't want to obtain a copy of the fingerprint card from the issuing PD.

1 hour ago, Sniper said:

It might depend on the individual PD. I got my FID originally in the late 70's, then moved around, out of state, etc. I never change the address at that time. Went to do a address change in 2011, in Jackson, and they required the prints to be in electronic form. I basically had to go through the whole process again, just like I was applying for a brand new FID. They saw my existing FID card but apparently didn't want to obtain a copy of the fingerprint card from the issuing PD.

The law allows the issuing agency to fingerprint you again as I said. We've both experienced this.

The agency that took the paper prints never kept a copy IIRC.  They all went to NJSP who classified them.  Your fingerprint classification is a series of numbers and letters.  That's how they determine if a set of prints are yours.

I'm not sure if NJSP stored all those old fingerprint cards.  Much easier if they're done electronically.