Thinking of Getting my Gun License

[NeedSpace]

I have been thinking about this for a while. I have wanted to get my gun license for a while and given my new life situation, I have no one to hold me back. At the moment, I only want my license to have a shot gun. With a youngin' in the house, I don't want a hand gun. Don't get me wrong, I know I could properly train my son and yaddy yadda be ok, but it isn't something I am comfortable at this time.

That said, I want to get my license and am looking at a beretta under-over. I borrowed a friend of mine a few years ago and loved it.

My plan for the license is tap shoot and hopefully hunting should I find some hunting buddies. Would love to take my dog duck hunting and possibly deer hunting.

I live in NJ. Any pointers or things that I should look into? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I heard there are basically 3 licenses? Shot, rifle and hand gun? Is that true?

[Hugh R]

No advise other than look at Browning shotguns. Over-under with replaceable choke tubes. 12 Ga.

[NeedSpace]

fyi, this is what I used originally...

[wildthing]

Is this a NJ thing? Gun License?

[porsche4life]

No advise other than look at Browning shotguns. Over-under with replaceable choke tubes. 12 Ga.

Yup! The citori is a work of art, and cared for properly your great grand children will still be able to smoke clay pigeons with it with ease. More money, but such beautiful guns.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The only license that should be needed is the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights. Gun license. Sheesh. How do people live in states like that?

[jwasbury]

All the info you need to know about getting the proper permit is found on the NJ state Police website. Your local municipal police department may have a firearms licensing unit that works the State Police process. Make your first call the local municipal police, or you could also ask at a gun shop if there is one near to your home.

You need to obtain an NJ Firearms Purchaser ID card. One of those will allow you to purchase as many long guns (rifle or shotgun) as your heart desires. A separate pistol permit is required for each hand gun you wish to purchase, and you can only apply for 3 pistol permits at a time at I believe. The permits are good for 90 days, and can be extended for an additional 90 days. You are limited to one hand gun purchase per month.

The primary application process is a pain in the butt. You need two personal references, and your employer must also provide a reference. You also must be fingerprinted. I'm in the middle of getting my permits right now, which is why all this crap is fresh in my head.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

The only license that should be needed is the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights. Gun license. Sheesh. How do people live in states like that?

Amen to that. I clicked on the thread because I was curious what a "gun license" was.

[Rick V]

I was in NJ last week and was talking to a guy who is a collector and he was telling me the laws and requirements for owning a spoon in The Garden State. I am by no way an expert but gun owner lists are against the law.
The guy told me I was really pushing my luck and looking at ten years in jail for having my .45 with me, one in the pipe and within arms reach.
I left that area over thirty years ago, and I really didn't leave anything there. I honestly don't understand how people allow the government to trample their rights like this. I could never live like that.

[mreid]

Wow, NJ, A state worse than CT for purchasing a gun. Who would have known?

[id10t]

As said, my Gun License is kept and displayed under glass in the National Archives.

But... if all you wanna do is shoot some clays, and maybe some bird hunting, then get your license I guess. Nothing wrong with a good O/U, but a semi may help with recoil management. I'd handle as many different types as you can, even better if you can shoot 'em a few times too. (My local skeet/trap club has several different loaner/rentals - and fellow shooters are usually happy to let you pop a few through their guns).

Also be aware that skeet/trap/sporting clays is not as cheap as it used to be... I used to pay $3/box for reloads (the club had machines set up, you did your own loading and provided your own empties) and $2 for the clays for a round, today it is about double on both costs - and only about 30 cents cheaper buying the ammo at wally world vs. at the range.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I honestly don't understand how people allow the government to trample their rights like this.

the reality is that many people in this area don't feel as if their rights are being trampled. When I complain to colleagues about the hurdles required to get a firearms permit in NJ, the most common response is "good, I'm glad it's difficult to get a gun."

When I respond that it's NOT difficult to get a gun illegally (which is what the "bad guys" do) and that the tough laws primarily serve to make it difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain firearms, people scratch their heads and nod slowly when the undeniable logic of it sinks in.

[Z-man]

NeedSpace - what will be the purpose of your firearm? For sport? Hunting? Home defense? If for home defense, I would consider looking into handguns, since they are much more flexible and versitile for home defense. If you have a shotgun, it can be a bit difficult to set yourself up in a defensive position and get that thing pointed in the right diriection quickly. Get the right tool for the right job.

Your concerns about firearm safety with children is valid - but keep in mind - not matter what firearm you buy, you must be diligent with children around. I don't have children of my own, but all I can say is - it matters not what type of firearm you have -- you must keep firearms secure and away from children. An improperly secured shotgun can be just as deadly in a child's hands as a handgun. Bottom line: get the firearm that is best suited for your needs, knowing that you will apply the appropriate safety measures for it.

I went through the FPID / gun permit process last year -- from start to finish, it took a total of 9 months before I received my permit and FPID. BTW: By NJ state law, a municioality has 30 days to perform all the necessary background checks - they are not supposed to take any longer than that, but many do.

There are many gun laws in NJ that are designed to trip up law-abiding citizens and land them in jail. For example, if on the way to the range, you have a medical emergency like a heart attack, and you drive to the hospital, you can land in jail for 3.5 years with no eligibility for parole. We have this 'no deviation' rule where you can transport your unloaded and properly securty firearm to the range and back, but no where else. No stopping for food, no stopping for ammo, gas, whatever. I strongly suggest you purchase, read, and memorize this book:


If you are into podcasts, subscribe to the Gun For Hire podcast - lost of good insight there.

As far as ranges go in the North NJ area - there's the Woodland Park Range Indoor Range in Woodland Park, as well as Thunder Mountain up in Ringwood. If you are interested in going to the Woodland Park Range, ping me via PM and I can meet you there - I'm a member. They have many guns to rent - handguns, rifles, shotguns -- it is a good idea to try a few before you decide what to get. BTW: no FPID or any type of permit needed or required to shoot at the range there.

-Z-man.

[E Sully]

It's been a few years, but when I went to Thunder Mountain I was able to rent a shotgun. Great way to try some out first. It was a great time for me and my brother. I am from just over the border in NY and there was no problem shooting there.
I highly recommend you also look into good gun safes. Hand gun permit in NY was not bad, just takes a lot of waiting time. I have to make sure I don't accidentaly cross the line when driving around living on the border of NJ.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Sheesh. How do people live in states like that?

No sch!t!!!
Hail Arizona!!!!!!!!
.
.
.
Well, until it turns Liberal in 10 - 20 yrs.

[NeedSpace]

WOW, great information! Thanks to all. Looks like my first trip will be to my local police station. Good people there and I can start getting the ball rolling.

Like I said earlier, my primary reason to get my license is to shoot trap and hopefully at some point go hunting for either deer or duck.

Z-Man and E Sully, I have gone to Thunder Mountain quite a number of times. I have used their guns and also other people's guns. Good idea to try a bunch. Z-Man wow, the range at woodland park is much closer. I may be taking you up on that offer. Would be great to have another resource.

Quick question though. When I drive to thunder mountain, I drive from NJ to NY to NJ again, is this against the law if I am carrying a gun?

[GG Allin]

And I thought Illinois was bad.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Wife has had her Citori for decades. Used to shoot competition with it, did rather well. It is a sweet little rifle, she will hardly let me touch it except to clean it. One of those few MINE items.

What about black powder?

Yep, NJ is one of those states I refuse to go to. Left a job I LOVED with a company I LOVED because they required me to move to NJ. I quit.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

Quick question though. When I drive to thunder mountain, I drive from NJ to NY to NJ again, is this against the law if I am carrying a gun?

I thought federal law supersedes state law @ if the spoon is in a locked case and in a trunk or away from the driver it can be taken from state to state, with proper permitting of course.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

Quick question though. When I drive to thunder mountain, I drive from NJ to NY to NJ again, is this against the law if I am carrying a gun?

FOPA of '86 - fed law states that if you are legal at start and destination, and it is stored unlocked, away from driver and away from ammo, then you are good to go.

Strangely, the only cases I've heard of where this has come up have been people starting and ending somewhere else but getting busted in New Jersey