TRENTON, NJ – With local police departments inundated with an overload of firearms identification card applications over the past few years, due to rising crime, threats of terrorism, and threats by the state government to outlaw legal gun ownership, a new bill in Trenton is seeking to expedite the process.
A legislative proposal has been put forward to grant county sheriffs in New Jersey the authority to issue firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits. Additionally, it would allow them to accept and process applications for handgun carry permits. This marks a significant change from the current system, where such responsibilities solely rest with the chief law enforcement officer of the applicant’s municipality or the Superintendent of State Police for residents in areas without a full-time police department or for out-of-state applicants.
The proposed bill aims to streamline the application process for state residents by broadening the authority to county sheriffs, facilitating easier access for applicants. This includes conducting necessary background checks and investigations to ensure the eligibility of applicants. Similarly, for permits to carry handguns, county sheriffs would be authorized to review, investigate, and make determinations on applications, a process that currently culminates with the issuance of permits by the Superior Court following approval by local or state police authorities.
This legislative move is seen as an effort to decentralize the firearms permit issuance process and make it more accessible to New Jersey residents by involving county-level law enforcement officials more directly.