For the love of God. I hope someone can put this question to rest for me. What is deemed the appropriate procedure to acquire what is considered an antique or relic? Primarily shotguns and long guns. I just want to collect (not shoot) and jump through the least amount of hoops as possible.

 

Please don't quote or provide links to NJ laws regarding this. I have been over and over them extensively and nothing seems like it's short of contradicting itself.

 

I would just like to hear from people who've been through this themselves and can explain it in English.

 

I wholeheartedly apologize if this has been covered here before. I searched but didn't find anything.

 

Thank you.

For the love of God. I hope someone can put this question to rest for me. What is deemed the appropriate procedure to acquire what is considered an antique or relic? Primarily shotguns and long guns. I just want to collect (not shoot) and jump through the least amount of hoops as possible.

 

Please don't quote or provide links to NJ laws regarding this. I have been over and over them extensively and nothing seems like it's short of contradicting itself.

 

I would just like to hear from people who've been through this themselves and can explain it in English.

 

I wholeheartedly apologize if this has been covered here before. I searched but didn't find anything.

 

Thank you.

 

 

All firearms are considered firearms in NJ (including BB guns and blackpowder). NJ does not recognize antique firearms.

How old are these antiques? You'll at least need to get your Firearms ID card (FID).

For the love of God. I hope someone can put this question to rest for me. What is deemed the appropriate procedure to acquire what is considered an antique or relic? Primarily shotguns and long guns. I just want to collect (not shoot) and jump through the least amount of hoops as possible.

 

Please don't quote or provide links to NJ laws regarding this. I have been over and over them extensively and nothing seems like it's short of contradicting itself.

 

I would just like to hear from people who've been through this themselves and can explain it in English.

 

I wholeheartedly apologize if this has been covered here before. I searched but didn't find anything.

 

Thank you.

 

All the giuns mentioned are long gun so it's easier than Handguns, but also another thing we would need to know how are you getting them, from who, and where are the guns from, ie out of state, in NJ, in the family, friend, stranger etc;.

 

Do you have a FID card?

 

Harry

All the giuns mentioned are long gun so it's easier than Handguns, but also another thing we would need to know how are you getting them, from who, and where are the guns from, ie out of state, in NJ, in the family, friend, stranger etc;.

 

Do you have a FID card?

 

Harry

 

 

I have not applied for a FID yet as this one excerpt is what kept me from thinking I need one:

 

13:54-1.3 Firearm identification card or permit to purchase required

(a) No person, other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer, shall receive, purchase or otherwise acquire

a rifle, shotgun or antique cannon, other than an antique rifle or shotgun, unless that person possesses and exhibits a valid

firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of a rifle, shotgun

or antique cannon to a person other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer unless the buyer or receiver

possesses and exhibits a valid firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell or acquire a sawed-off shotgun.

 

The guns I have in mind are pre-war 1898. Nothing specific as of yet. Searching gunbroker.com mostly which would include both in and out of state.

1) Get your FID card

2) Purchase rifles and shotguns (antique or not) from a NJ state dealer/FFL, or from out-of-state dealers who will transfer to a NJ based FFL who offers a transfer service.

 

There are some exceptions around inheritance, is that part of the picture?

 

If its a handgun, add in a step in which you need a handgun purchase permit for each handgun to be presented to the NJ dealer or FFL.

 

There are laws around transporting said rifles and shotguns, make sure you follow them. There are also laws around firearms within access of minors, so be watchful of that. I'd remove the firing pins of guns you plan on displaying in your home for decorative purposes.

 

Also make sure the "antique" firearms are not considered "Assault Weapons" or "Sawed off shotguns" when it comes to NJ laws.

I have not applied for a FID yet as this one excerpt is what kept me from thinking I need one:

 

13:54-1.3 Firearm identification card or permit to purchase required

(a) No person, other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer, shall receive, purchase or otherwise acquire

a rifle, shotgun or antique cannon, other than an antique rifle or shotgun, unless that person possesses and exhibits a valid

firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of a rifle, shotgun

or antique cannon to a person other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer unless the buyer or receiver

possesses and exhibits a valid firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell or acquire a sawed-off shotgun.

 

The guns I have in mind are pre-war 1898. Nothing specific as of yet. Searching gunbroker.com mostly which would include both in and out of state.

 

Ah, here you go:

 

 

2C:39-1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter and to chapter 58:

 

a."Antique firearm" means any rifle or shotgun and "antique cannon" means a destructive device defined in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section, if the rifle, shotgun or destructive device, as the case may be, is incapable of being fired or discharged, or which does not fire fixed ammunition, regardless of date of manufacture, or was manufactured before 1898 for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available, and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for its historical significance or value.

I have not applied for a FID yet as this one excerpt is what kept me from thinking I need one:

 

13:54-1.3 Firearm identification card or permit to purchase required

(a) No person, other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer, shall receive, purchase or otherwise acquire

a rifle, shotgun or antique cannon, other than an antique rifle or shotgun, unless that person possesses and exhibits a valid

firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of a rifle, shotgun

or antique cannon to a person other than a licensed or registered retail or wholesale dealer unless the buyer or receiver

possesses and exhibits a valid firearms purchaser identification card. No person shall sell or acquire a sawed-off shotgun.

 

The guns I have in mind are pre-war 1898. Nothing specific as of yet. Searching gunbroker.com mostly which would include both in and out of state.

 

I'd say make it real easy, even if you just want these for a display case and never fire them having a FID card is always good to have. Plus if by chance you want to purchase ammo if you want to test fire them one day it will make things go easy.

 

Another thing, you know how you have to add up the point on ID's for our NJ drivers license, well I think the FID is good for 3 points out of the 6 needed.

 

Harry

Ah, here you go:

 

 

2C:39-1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter and to chapter 58:

 

a."Antique firearm" means any rifle or shotgun and "antique cannon" means a destructive device defined in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section, if the rifle, shotgun or destructive device, as the case may be, is incapable of being fired or discharged, or which does not fire fixed ammunition, regardless of date of manufacture, or was manufactured before 1898 for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available, and is possessed as a curiosity or ornament or for its historical significance or value.

 

Exactly. So I assumed, based on the way I interpreted the definition, that I didn't need a FID if purchasing what is considered an antique.

Exactly. So I assumed, based on the way I interpreted the definition, that I didn't need a FID if purchasing what is considered an antique.

 

If it is permanently disabled, i.e. can never be fired. I don't think you will have a problem.

 

If it is pre 1898, and fires ammunition that is not commercially available... that one is tough. I doubt anyone would want to chance selling that to you in NJ without the FID transfer process, JUST in case some esoteric company out there makes a run of commercially available (you can buy it) ammo for it.

 

Unless you are looking for wall-hangers that have been permanently altered to never be able to be fired again, I would go the FID route.

Exactly. So I assumed, based on the way I interpreted the definition, that I didn't need a FID if purchasing what is considered an antique.

You should get your FID anyway, no NJ dealer is going to sell you an antique firearm without one regardless of what you may be reading in the statutes, they know the law is ambiguous and contradictory, and don't want to get jammed up. Outside of NJ (most states anyway), no one will require you to have an FID to buy antiques. Do not have antiques shipped directly to you in NJ, you will be breaking the law.

Thanks guys. Having to get my FID isn't such a big deal. Just wanted to know where I stand with everything.