Introduction to New Jersey Ammunition Laws/Purchasing
New Jersey has finally started bending to the law of the land and begun embracing our Constitutionally protected rights. However, it is doing so reluctantly, with resistance and tantrums along the way.
It’s no surprise that many residents are still “gun shy” after living under restrictive laws for decades. This has led to confusion around various firearm-related regulations, especially regarding ammunition.
In this article, we aim to dispel the myths surrounding New Jersey’s ammunition laws and answer several common questions, including:
- Can I buy ammo online?
- Can I have it shipped to my house?
- What can I use in my carry firearm?
- Are hollow points illegal?
- How many rounds can I buy at a time?
- How do I transport ammunition?
- Is there a point of sale fee?
Bookmark this article, as we will update it whenever laws change to reflect the most current information.
First and foremost, while we encourage New Jersey residents to patronize their local FFLs and retailers for ammunition purchases, we also recognize that there are other ways to purchase ammunition, and shopping local is not always the most convenient method for some people, especially if you live far from an FFL. Also, New Jersey law has made point of sale transactions more onerous for retailers, more expensive for individuals, and many are seeking other solutions.
First let’s address some of the laws governing ammunition purchasing and possession.
FPIC Card Requirements for Ammo Possession and Purchase in New Jersey
New Jersey doesn’t allow just anyone to purchase ammunition. In fact, you must, at a minimum, have a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card before you can “sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of, or receive, purchase, or otherwise acquire handgun ammunition,” (Section 2C:58-3.3(1)(b)). Importantly, you can’t give handgun ammunition to a person under 21. “No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign, or otherwise dispose of handgun ammunition to a person who is under 21 years of age,” (Section 2C:58-3.3(1)(c)).
That means that you cannot buy ammunition in New Jersey if you are a non-resident and don’t possess an FID card!
Retail Record Keeping of Ammunition Sales
While New Jersey has always required retailers to record handgun ammunition sales, a new law that went into effect on February 1, 2023 (N.J.S. 2C:58-3.3a) requires digital record keeping rather than physical records. It also requires recording:
- the name of the manufacturer
- the date of the transaction
- the type (e.g. handgun)
- caliber or gauge of the ammunition
- the quantity of the ammunition sold (number of rounds)
- the name, address, and date of birth of the purchaser
- the identification used to establish the identity of the purchaser
- any other information the superintendent shall deem necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter
“The records shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by any law enforcement officer.” Note, that there is no provision for a warrant or other reasonable cause for a law enforcement officer to view ammo purchase records. Any officer can view the records for any reason whatsoever.
Handgun Ammo Purchases over 2,000 Rounds Reported to Superintendent
While New Jersey mandates record keeping for all in-state retail purchases, there are certain thresholds that will capture the attention of the state at a higher level. For example, if you purchase 2,000 or more rounds of handgun ammunition, the retailer must IMMEDIATELY report the transaction to the State Superintendent (N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-2(b)(3)).
As we’ll get to later, provisions like this have motivated high-volume shooters to look for other solutions for acquiring ammunition.
New Jersey Point of Sale Transaction Fee
Another burden added to the retail consumer under the new law is a point of sale transaction fee (not to exceed $5 per transaction) that is passed on to the consumer. “A retail dealer may charge a fee determined by the superintendent for a transaction electronically reported pursuant to this subsection (2C:58-3.3a)”.
(We have confirmed with a number of ranges in New Jersey that they are passing on the state-mandated transaction fee of $1.50 to the customer with no markup, although there may be some that are charging more.)
No Incendiary or Tracer Ammunition
New Jersey does now allow the discharging of incendiary or tracer ammunition (except for non-incendiary shotgun tracer ammo used only for target shooting). The law does not specifically outlaw the possession, but simply the discharge of such ammunition (2C:58-10).
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Armor Piercing Ammunition Ban in New Jersey
A 2018 law added “armor piercing ammunition” to the list of prohibited ammunition in NJ. Morristown-based Tormey Law firm goes into detail on the definition of such ammo in their blog. They note that possessing illegal ammunition in New Jersey carries a stiff penalty, and is a “fourth degree offense, punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months in a New Jersey state correctional facility. Possession of large or high-capacity magazines results in a fourth degree offense, and if convicted, consequences can amount to up to 18 months of incarceration and up to $10,000 fines.”
Hollow Point Ammunition
New Jersey law on “hollow nose” or “hollow point” ammunition often causes confusion.
By statute (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3) “…any person who knowingly has in his possession any hollow nose or dum-dum bullet is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.” HOWEVER, New Jersey has exemptions to the law for possession and transportation. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(g)(2)(a) provides that “nothing in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f)(1) shall be construed to prevent a person from keeping such ammunition at his dwelling, premises, or other land owned or possessed by him.”
In a nutshell: you can own and transport hollow point ammo to and from your home, business, shooting range or hunting site.
Hollow point ammunition is NOT LEGAL for concealed carry in New Jersey by civilians!
The New Jersey State Police website specifically states similar types of ammunition that is permissible and is NOT considered “hollow point” ammunition:
Ammunition lacking a hollow cavity at the tip, such as those with a polymer filling, are not considered to be hollow point ammunition. An example of this can be seen with the Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty, Cor-Bon PowRball / Glaser Safety Slug and Nosler Inc. Defense ammunition.
Large Capacity Magazine
New Jersey considers any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be a large capacity magazine and outlaws such.
Transporting Ammunition While Passing Through New Jersey
If you have the misfortune of being a non-resident and you need to travel through New Jersey, there are a few considerations given by the State for transport of firearms and ammunition. They mostly fall under the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986. One of the law’s provisions (codified in section 926A of Title 18, U.S. Code) federally codifies regulations around the transportation of firearms directly from one state to another, and preempts existing state regulations.
This is recognized by the New Jersey State Police in a statement on their site:
New Jersey laws governing firearms permits, purchaser identification cards, registration and licenses do not apply to a person who is transporting the firearm through this State if that person is transporting the firearm in a manner permitted by federal law, 18 U.S.C.A. 926A.
Now let’s get to the good stuff!
Can You Purchase Ammunition Online from Another State?
YES!
There are no prohibitions in current New Jersey law against online retail sales of ammunition. And, moreover, the reporting requirements do not apply to out-of-state retailers. Normally, out-of-state retailers that do business in New Jersey will require you to upload an ID (driver’s license) and your FID card. It’s that simple! Ammunition must be shipped to the address of the ID holder, and the address on the FID card and license must match.
As mentioned before, the benefits of online purchases include circumventing the point of sale fees and transaction tracking at New Jersey retail establishments, and not hitting the 2,000 round threshold that mandates reporting to the state.
Where to Buy Ammunition Online?
As with all online transactions, experiences vary from retailer to retailer. Our friends at the NJ NICS Research Center have created a list of vendors whom they have personally vetted who legally ship ammunition to New Jersey residents.
Shipment Insurance Recommended
Due to its bulk and weight vs. volume, along with required markings, ammunition is often very obvious to anyone who handles or sees the box. And the weight often means packages take extra abuse. We highly recommend insurance to safeguard from accidents and theft.
Call Some Friends – Order in Bulk – Save Money
While the 500 or 1,000 round count is where shooters often see the best pricing per round, there are often even more discounts to be had at 2,500 rounds, 5,000 rounds, or 10,000 rounds. And when you combine the collective purchasing power of 5 or 10 friends with sales and S&H specials, you can save a tremendous amount of money.
