New Jersey Gun Laws
NJNew Jersey at a glance
Neighboring states: Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania
Firearm Regulations
Key Notes
Purchaser ID card required for all firearms. Separate permit per handgun purchase. 6-round limit for semi-auto shotguns. NFA items heavily restricted.
- •Yes (Permit to Purchase) — A Firearms Purchaser Identification Card is required for all firearm purchases. Additionally, a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun is required for each individual handgun.
- •10 rounds (rifles/pistols) / 6 rounds (shotguns) Mag Limit — Rifle and pistol magazines are limited to 10 rounds. Semi-automatic shotgun magazines are limited to 6 rounds.
- •Yes (Assault Weapon Ban) — New Jersey bans assault firearms by name and feature. The list is extensive and includes most semi-auto rifles with detachable magazines and certain features.
- •SBR, SBS, DD, Suppressors banned (NFA) — Short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, destructive devices, and suppressors are all prohibited. Machine guns require a state license under a may-issue system.
- •No (State Preemption) — New Jersey has no preemption law. Municipalities can and do pass their own additional firearm regulations.
- •Shall Issue (Concealed Carry) — After the Bruen decision, New Jersey became shall-issue, but the process involves extensive requirements and many 'sensitive places' restrictions.
- •Litigation — On July 17, 2026 the full Third Circuit held the assault firearm and 10 round magazine bans unconstitutional, but stayed its ruling pending Supreme Court review; both bans remain enforced.
Last updated October 10, 2026
Most Popular AR-15 Parts in New Jersey
Ranked by how often builders in New Jersey picked each brand, from real builds on GunPartPicker over the last year. One core slot per row.
- TriggerGeissele43%
- Charging HandleRadian35%
- Lower ReceiverPalmetto State Armory30%
- Pistol GripFeature restrictedMagpul24%
- Upper ReceiverBravo Company21%
- Bolt Carrier GroupBravo Company20%
Flagged slots are covered by New Jersey restrictions. See How New Jersey Law Affects Your Build below, and confirm current law before you buy.
Build yours in the AR Builder and compare live prices across retailers.
How New Jersey Law Affects Your Build
Plain-English implications for builders, derived from the regulations above.
Assault Weapon Restrictions Apply
New Jersey restricts firearms classified as "assault weapons," and its law names the AR-15 and covers copies of it. A "featureless" configuration does not avoid a ban by name, so removing features does not make an AR-15 legal to buy or build in New Jersey.
Magazine Capacity Limit in Effect
New Jersey limits magazine capacity (10 rounds (rifles/pistols) / 6 rounds (shotguns)). Standard 30-round PMAGs and similar magazines may not be sold or imported in their factory configuration. Plan your build around pinned, welded, or reduced-capacity magazines.
NFA Restrictions Apply
New Jersey restricts some or all NFA items (SBR, SBS, DD, Suppressors banned). Suppressors, SBRs, or other regulated items may be banned under state law whatever ATF enforces federally. Verify before buying a 14.5" barrel or pinned muzzle device intended for SBR conversion. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
Permit Required to Purchase
New Jersey requires a permit, license, or other prerequisite before you can purchase a firearm (Yes). Factor permit application time into your build timeline before ordering a complete lower or completed rifle.
Background Checks on Private Transfers
New Jersey extends background-check requirements beyond licensed-dealer sales (Yes). Private transfers of complete firearms typically must run through an FFL.
Ready to spec a compliant build? Use the AR Builder to compare parts and live prices across retailers.
New Jersey Gun Laws — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the AR-15 legal in New Jersey?
- New Jersey has an assault weapon ban (Yes (rifle part struck by 3rd Cir. Jul 2026, stayed)) that names the AR-15 and covers copies of it, so a "featureless" build does not make one legal. Read the statute and its grandfather terms against your own situation before purchasing.
- What is the magazine capacity limit in New Jersey?
- 10 rounds (rifles/pistols) / 6 rounds (shotguns). Standard 30-round magazines may not be legal for sale; compliant magazines (or pinned/welded options) are required for new builds.
- Does New Jersey require a permit to buy a firearm?
- Yes. A permit, license, or qualifying ID is required in New Jersey before purchasing a firearm.
- Can I conceal carry in New Jersey?
- New Jersey concealed carry status: Shall Issue. The state must issue a permit to applicants who meet the qualifying criteria.
- Is open carry legal in New Jersey?
- New Jersey open carry: Restricted. Local restrictions may still apply in cities, parks, schools, or government buildings.
- Are suppressors and SBRs legal in New Jersey?
- NFA item status in New Jersey: SBR, SBS, DD, Suppressors banned. State law can restrict these items whatever ATF enforces federally. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
- Does New Jersey require background checks for private sales?
- Yes. Background-check requirements in New Jersey extend beyond licensed-dealer sales — most private transfers must run through an FFL.
Sources & Further Reading
Verify current New Jersey firearm law with these authoritative resources. Laws change — always confirm with primary sources before purchasing or carrying.
- Giffords Law Center — comprehensive state-by-state firearm law summaries and policy analysis.
- NRA-ILA State Gun Laws — state directory with statute references and recent legislative updates.
- Everytown Research State Rankings — research-driven scoring and policy explanations across all 50 states.
- ATF Firearms — federal regulations on NFA items, FFL transfers, and firearm classifications.
Traveling to New Jersey with a gun?
Pick what you are bringing and where you start, and the Gun Travel Checker applies these rules to every state on the route, with what to do before each state line.
Check a trip to New Jersey →Legal Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with official state sources, a qualified attorney, or local law enforcement before making purchasing or carrying decisions. GunPartPicker is not responsible for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information.