I used to live here but moved to NC for about 8 years and returned (yes, I know). Anyways, I wasn’t planning on staying long and was looking for houses in PA but the market has me staying here longer than expected. I am about to get my FPID again (the process has changed a lot it seems as I previously just went to my local PD). I see they ask if I want to register handguns with the change of residency to NJ / Voluntary registration.
I have only bought one handgun out there in 8 years (funny how when its not as hard I didn’t feel the pressure to keep buying, but I digress). So now I am wondering after doing online searches if there or any cons of NOT registering that firearm?
No longer voluntary. You are now legally required to register your handguns with 60 days if you are establishing residency in NJ:
HOWEVER - I’m wondering if because you had an FID for your previous NJ address you can just do a “change of address” for that FID without a “re-registration”. Open question, I’m not certain.
Never mind. Reading the bill text, it looks like the only relevant criteria are that you’re establishing residency in NJ and that you acquired the handgun out of state (both appear true for you). Previous issuance of FID doesn’t factor in. BTW, you are also REQUIRED to apply for an FID.
A person who fails to apply for a firearm purchaser identification card or register a handgun as required pursuant to this subsection shall be liable to a civil penalty of $250 for a first offense and shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense for a second or subsequent offense.
If a person is in possession of multiple firearms or handguns in violation of this subsection, the person shall be guilty of one offense under this subsection provided the violation is a single event.
The civil penalty shall be collected pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) in a summary proceeding before the municipal court having jurisdiction. A law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in that municipality may issue a summons for a violation, and may serve and execute all process with respect to the enforcement of this subsection consistent with the Rules of Court.
Realistically, I don’t think NJ will “know” about the one handgun purchased out of state, but there are a bunch of scenarios where they could become aware of it:
You have any kind of relationship/marital trouble resulting in a court order to turn over firearms
You are subjected to a “Red Flag” action (TERPO/ERPO)
You have a fire/burglary/other event at your home where the police take custody of your firearms
Another interesting question - are you also required to “Re-Register” the handguns you previously acquired in NJ?
The bill text apparently doesn’t give any “outs” for that (emphasis added):
Any person who becomes a resident of this State following the effective date … and who transports into this State a firearm that the person *** owned or acquired while residing in another state *** shall apply for a firearm purchaser identification card and register the firearm within 60 days of becoming a New Jersey resident, and shall register any handgun so transported into this State within 60 days as provided in this subsection.
It would appear you owned your previously-acquired-in-NJ handgun(s) while residing in another state…
The really silly part of this is an FPIC does absolutely nothing for you with regard to handguns, except to allow you to purchase handgun ammo in NJ.
The FPIC is for acquiring and carrying rifles and shotguns. You didn’t used to even have to apply for an FPIC back in the day of paper PtPP forms. Your PtPP was all you needed to acquire a handgun and you could also use it to buy ammo.
@DyrtNap - you may want to consider either joining ANJRPC or getting a membership with US Law Shield - becoming a member of either will get you the ability to discuss these questions with a NJ lawyer who is very likely specialized in NJ firearms law.
Is it FPIC now and not FPID?
Yeah, I have no need to purchase anything new (outside of ammo) and hope to head to PA in the near future but got stuck in my temporary residence for longer than expected so I just want to make sure I cover my arse in the meantime.
Different acronyms for the same thing. FPID/FPIC/FID
If you’re going to be in NJ > 60 days you might consider a gun storage service to hold your firearms outside of NJ and avoid all the registration B.S. until you get situated in PA:
Anyone know anyone out here who pins mags? Or is it better to surrender them somewhere? I dont mind buying new ones later on down the road if i end up in PA.
Don’t surrender them. Worst case, sell them out of state, or send them to a friend in another state to hold for you and buy new 10 rounders for NJ. I’ve got a friend in another state who is holding a bunch of 15 rd magazines for me.
If you do want to get them pinned a lot of NJ FFL’s will do so, but not every one, so call.
If you’re anywhere near Monmouth County in NJ I know an FFL who will.
