New Jersey’s open carry laws are among the strictest in the United States, with clear prohibitions and specific regulations for handguns and long guns.
Open Carry of Handguns
Prohibited:
Open carry of handguns is illegal in New Jersey, regardless of whether you have a permit to carry a firearm. The law explicitly states that a permit to carry does not authorize the holder to openly carry a handgun.
Open carry of a handgun is classified as a fourth-degree crime, which is an indictable offense and can lead to serious legal consequences.
Permit Required for Concealed Carry:
Concealed carry of a handgun is only permitted if you have a valid New Jersey Permit to Carry a Handgun (PCH). The state does not recognize concealed carry permits from other states.
Open Carry of Long Guns
Allowed with Restrictions:
Open carry of long guns (rifles and shotguns) is permitted in New Jersey, but only if you possess a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC).
Transportation and Accessibility:
When carrying a long gun in public, it must be unloaded and not readily accessible for use. If you are transporting a long gun in a vehicle, it must be unloaded and contained in a closed, fastened case, gun box, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk. The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment.
Loaded Long Guns:
It is illegal to possess a loaded long gun in public unless permitted by law, such as while hunting with the appropriate license.
Key Points on Firearm Possession and Transportation
Permit Required for Handgun Possession:
No one may carry or possess a handgun, open or concealed, without a permit, with few exceptions.
Transportation Rules:
Handguns: Must be unloaded and transported in a closed, fastened case, gun box, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk. If the vehicle does not have a separate trunk, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
Long Guns: Same as above for transportation, and must be unloaded in public.
No Concealed Carry Without Permit:
Concealed carry is only legal with a New Jersey PCH, which is issued to both residents and non-residents through a stringent application process.
Reciprocity:
New Jersey does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other state.
Summary Table
| Firearm Type | Open Carry Legal? | Permit/Card Required | Restrictions/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handgun | No | Permit to Carry Handgun | Open carry is a fourth-degree crime; concealed only with permit |
| Long Gun (rifle/shotgun) | Yes (with FPIC) | Firearms Purchaser ID Card | Must be unloaded, not readily accessible in public |
Additional Important Information
Penalties: Violating open carry laws for handguns can result in criminal charges, including a fourth-degree indictable offense for open carry of a handgun.
Application Process: To obtain a Permit to Carry a Handgun, you must apply through your local police department or the New Jersey State Police, undergo a background check, and complete fingerprinting.
No Reciprocity: New Jersey does not honor out-of-state concealed carry permits.
Open carry of handguns is strictly prohibited in New Jersey, and open carry of long guns is only allowed with a valid FPIC and under specific conditions. Always ensure your firearms are transported in accordance with New Jersey law, and never carry a handgun openly, even if you have a permit.
Sources:
- https://www.battlbox.com/blogs/carry-laws/is-open-carry-legal-in-new-jersey-understanding-the-laws-and-regulations
- https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/nj-gun-laws/
- https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/management/upload/New-Jersey.docx
- https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/new-jersey-gun-laws-what-you-need-to-know/