These FAQs are directed specifically to people that have a New Jersey Permit To Carry A Handgun (PCH). The information below is NOT legal advice. As litigation is ongoing, we will do our best to update this page ASAP. However, it is possible that the FAQ answers below may become briefly invalidated due to court rulings before we have an opportunity to update them.
The information below is offered as a courtesy to New Jersey PCH holders. None of the information below is legal advice and we are not lawyers. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice and should not be taken as such.
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We closely monitor gun legislation and related court cases. You can expect this page to be updated between 1 and 48 hours after any relevant bill is signed into law or court case ruled on.
NJ “Sensitive Places” – Where can I carry?
In 2022, Governor Murphy signed a Bruen-response bill into law. We generally refer to this as the “carry killer law.” It is referred to as such because New Jersey was forced to issue permits to carry a handgun to the general public and so the State responded by passing a bill with the intention to “kill carry.” The idea of the bill, now law, was to make the entire state of New Jersey off-limits to carry, even if you have a permit to carry. Lawsuits were filed against the new law mere minutes after it went into effect.
In 2023, Chief Judge Bumb, of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey, issued a preliminary injunction halting large portions of the new law. Shortly after Judge Bumb issued the preliminary injunction, Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the State filed an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit seeking an emergency stay on the preliminary injunction. The Third Circuit granted the State’s request for a stay on many of the provisions Judge Bumb had recently enjoined and they also let parts of her injunction stand.
Below, we clarify which so-called “sensitive places” are currently prohibited for carry of firearms and which are not. We also provide a brief explanation of the court orders from Judge Bumb’s court and the Third Circuit.
Yes. Carrying in one’s own vehicle was initially prohibited by 2C:58-4.6(7)(b)(1). As for now, this challenged portion of the law is enjoined.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and is preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes and no. Carrying on private property was initially prohibited by 2C:58-4.6(7)(b)(24). However, carry is only permitted on private property that is “held open to the public.” To carry on private property that is not held open to the public, express permission must be given by the owner of that property.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and is partially preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. The part of the law that is enjoined is private property that is “held open to the public.” For any other private property, permission must be given by the owner of the property. The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes. There was never any specific provision of the new law that mentioned houses of worship, unlike New York’s Bruen-response law.
A church or other house of worship would generally fall under 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(24), which prohibits concealed carry on private property unless the owner of such property has granted express consent to those who would like to be armed with a handgun to do so on their property. However, this portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and has been preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. It should be noted that her order did not enjoin 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(24) in its entirety. Rather, the order enjoined that provision of the law on the condition that the private property in question be held open to the public. Houses of worship generally fall within this exception.
The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carrying a firearm within 100 feet of a public gathering or demonstration for which a government permit is required is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(6).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carrying of a firearm to the zoo is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(9).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order, pertaining to zoos only. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of firearms in state, county, or local/municipal owned parks is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(10).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order, with the exception of playgrounds, which remained prohibited. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of firearms on state, county, or local/municipal owned beaches is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(10).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of firearms in state, county, or local/municipal recreation facilities is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(10).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carrying firearms at any youth sporting event is prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(11).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and the request for preliminary injunction as to youth sporting events was denied as per Judge Bumb’s order. As a result, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not to need address this provision of the law.
No. Carry of firearms in publicly owned or leased libraries is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(12).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of firearms in publicly owned or leased museums is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(12).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of handguns, revolvers, pistols, or any kind of firearm into any bar, restaurant, or other facility that sells alcohol for on-premises consumption is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(12).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes. There was never any specific provision of the new law that mentioned liquor stores or places where alcohol is sold for off-premises consumption.
A liquor store would fall under 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(24), which prohibits concealed carry on private property unless the owner of such property has granted express consent to those who would like to be armed with a handgun to do so on their property. However, this portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and has been preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. It should be noted that her order did not enjoin 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(24) in its entirety. Rather, the order enjoined that provision of the law on the condition that the private property in question be held open to the public. Liquor stores generally fall within this exception.
The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of firearms into privately owned or publicly owned entertainment facilities is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(17).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of concealed pistols, revolvers, or any type of handgun into theaters is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(17).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Carry of hidden pistols, revolvers, or any type of firearm into stadiums and/or arenas is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(17).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Handgun carry of kind, at racetracks, is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(17).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Handgun carry of kind, where performances, concerts, exhibits, games and contests are held, is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(17).
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Firearms carry of kind into casinos or their related facilities such as hotels, restaurants, bars and retails shops is currently prohibited as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(18) and N.J.A.C. 13:69D–1.13.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes and no. Concealed carry of handguns is prohibited anywhere on airport property or at transportation hubs as per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(20). However, it is permitted for curbside dropoff and pickup only, specifically at airports.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and is partially preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. In her order, she allowed NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(20) to remain in place. However, she made on exception which allows for curbside dropoff and pickup at airports. The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. As per NJ Statute 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(21), the carriage of pistols, revolvers, or any type of handgun is prohibited at facilities including but not limited to a general hospital, special hospital, psychiatric hospital, public health center, diagnostic center, treatment center, rehabilitation center, extended care facility, skilled nursing home, nursing home, intermediate care facility, tuberculosis hospital, chronic disease hospital, maternity hospital, outpatient clinic, dispensary, assisted living center, home health care agency, residential treatment facility, residential health care facility, medical office, or ambulatory care facility.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and was largely left in place as per Judge Bumb’s order. She had preliminarily enjoined this provision of the law against the types of medical facilities that were mentioned in the plaintiffs’ declarations. Those medical facility types were medical offices and ambulatory care facilities. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit soon after granted the State’s request for an emergency stay regarding this part of Judge Bumb’s preliminary injunction and as a result it is not currently legal to carry at any type of medical facility.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes. Carrying in public locations used for filming motion pictures or television images for theatrical, commercial or educational purposes was initially prohibited by 2C:58-4.6(7)(a)(23). As for now, this challenged portion of the law is enjoined.
This portion of the law was challenged in US District Court for the District of New Jersey and is preliminarily enjoined as per Judge Bumb’s order. The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit did not issue an emergency stay against this part of the preliminary injunction.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
General NJ CCW / PTC Questions
To simplify:
– In a holster that covers the trigger guard.
– It must be concealed. Open carry is no longer legal.
– It must be on your person.
– You may carry a maximum of 2 handguns at a time
2C:58-4(a) – Scope and duration of authority. Any person who holds a valid permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to this section shall be authorized to carry a handgun in a holster concealed on their person in all parts of this State, except as prohibited by subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 and section 7 of P.L.2022, c.131 (C.2C:58-4.6). One permit shall be sufficient for all handguns owned by the holder thereof, but the permit shall apply only to a handgun carried by the actual and legal holder of the permit and, except as otherwise provided in subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.2022, c.131 (C.2C:58-4.5), shall not be construed to authorize a holder to carry a handgun openly, provided that a brief, incidental exposure of a handgun while transferring it to or from a holster or due to the shifting of the person’s body position or clothing shall be deemed a de minimis infraction within the contemplation of N.J.S.2C:2-11.
2C:58-4(h) – For purposes of this section, “holster” means a device or sheath that securely retains a handgun which, at a minimum, conceals and protects the main body of the firearm, maintains the firearm in a consistent and accessible position, and renders the trigger covered and inaccessible while the handgun is fully seated in the holster.
2C:58-4.5(6)(b) – [it shall be a crime of the fourth degree for any person in a public place] to carry a handgun openly, whether or not in possession of a valid and lawfully issued permit to carry under N.J.S.2C:58-4
2C:58-4.4(5)(a)(4) – [The holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4 shall not] carry more than two firearms under the permittee’s control at one time;
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
There is no requirement for a holster to have a “retention strap”. This provision did not survive and was not part of the version of the A4769/S3214 Carry Killer bill that was signed into law.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. As of December 22, 2022, when the A4769/S3214 Carry Killer bill was signed into law, it became illegal to openly carry a firearm, regardless of whether or not you have a permit to carry a handgun.
2C:58-4.5(6)(b) – [it shall be a crime of the fourth degree for any person in a public place] to carry a handgun openly, whether or not in possession of a valid and lawfully issued permit to carry under N.J.S.2C:58-4
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. It is legal to possess hollow point ammunition in one’s home or at the range but it is not permitted as ammunition for carry. There are, however, bullets available that are similar to hollow points but have a filled cavity such as Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty, Cor-Bon PowRball / Glaser Safety Slug and Nosler Inc. Defense ammunition.
From the New Jersey State Police Firearms FAQ page, question #13: I’m not a police officer, are hollow points legal for me to possess?
Yes. They are legal for purchase and possess in your home or on land owned by you. They are legal to possess and use at a gun range. They are also legal to possess while traveling to and from such places. 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.
https://nj.gov/njsp/firearms/firearms-faqs.shtml
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Yes. However, before doing so, you must complete and submit NJSP form 182a.
It is important to note that this answer does not apply to judge-issued permits.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
The insurance requirement has been blocked by the Preliminary Injunction issued by Judge Bumb on May 16, 2023. The stay pending appeal, issued by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on June 20, 2023 did NOT reinstate the insurance requirement. Insurance is still NOT required.
2C:58-4.3(4)(a) – Every private citizen who carries a handgun in public in this State shall maintain liability insurance coverage insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, and property damage sustained by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, operation or use of a firearm carried in public wherein such coverage shall be at least in an amount or limit of $300,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of more than one person and for damage to property, in any one incident.
2C:58-4.3(4)(b) – Proof of liability insurance, as required pursuant to subsection a. of this section, shall be produced by the person carrying a handgun in public, within a reasonable amount of time following any injury, death, or property damage alleged to have been caused by the person carrying the handgun in public. This requirement shall be satisfied by delivering a full and complete copy of the applicable policy or policies of insurance that meet the standards established by subsection a. of this section and that were in force at the time of the injury, death, or property damage.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, disclosure of policy information under this section shall not constitute an admission that the alleged injury, death, or property damage is subject to the policy.
Information concerning the insurance policy shall not be admissible as evidence at trial by reason of disclosure pursuant to this subsection. The disclosure shall be confidential and available only to the injured person, representative of the decedent, or owner of damaged property and the attorney representing the injured person, representative of the decedent, or owner of damaged property and personnel in the office of the attorney.
2C:58-4.3(4)(c) – A violation of this section shall be a crime of the fourth degree and shall constitute full and sufficient grounds for revocation of a permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
Until July 1, 2023, there was no “duty to inform” a law enforcement officer that you are armed or transporting handgun(s) during the course of an official law enforcement contact. As of July 1, 2023, you are required by law to inform a law enforcement officer, during the course of an official law enforcement contact, that you are armed and/or transporting handgun(s).
This statute applies only to handguns. It applies to handguns being carried as well as those being transported. This statute only applies to holders of a permit to carry a handgun and not those who only possess a Firearms ID Card.
2C:58-4.4(5)(b) – The holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4, if stopped or detained by a law enforcement officer while carrying a handgun in public or traveling with a handgun in a motor vehicle, shall:
2C:58-4.4(5)(b)(1) – immediately disclose to the law enforcement officer that they are carrying a handgun or that a handgun is stored in the vehicle; and
2C:58-4.4(5)(b)(2) – display the permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4.
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
No. Legality aside, this is not a smart idea. If you are involved in a shooting, you will almost certainly be subjected to a blood test. If you have alcohol in your system, it will likely be used against you in a court of law.
Before A4769/S3214 Carry Killer bill was signed in to law, there were no statutes in New Jersey law regarding carrying a firearm and consuming or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages. As per the bill that was signed into law, since July 1, 2023, it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants or be under the influence of alcohol while carrying a handgun.
2C:58-4.4(5)(a)(1) – [The holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4 shall not] use or consume alcohol, a cannabis item, or a controlled substance while carrying a handgun;
2C:58-4.4(5)(a)(2) – [The holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued pursuant to N.J.S.2C:58-4 shall not] be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or a controlled substance while carrying a handgun;
* Please note that this is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please see our Firearms Legal Questions page for options.
