<P> The Constitution of New Jersey has no provision explicitly guaranteeing the right of citizens to keep and bear arms . </P> <P> Hollow - point ammunition is available for unrestricted purchase from most retailers wherever firearms are sold, and may be transported by purchasers without special licensing . However, hollow - point bullets may not be carried outside of a place of target practice, dwelling, premises or land possessed by a person, even if one has a valid permit to carry a handgun, except when being transported directly to and from these places . LEOSA (HR 218) qualified and retired or separated LEOs carrying anywhere in the USA are exempt from state laws and may legally carry hollow points ammo or any ammo that is not prohibited under the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the National Firearm Act . Additionally the NJ Superior Court in State v Brian Aitken have ruled that there is no exception for moving between residences with hollow - point bullets . </P> <P> In New Jersey, anyone seeking to purchase firearms (one does not need to obtain a Firearm Purchaser Identification card to own, possess in the home, transport firearms to and from authorized target range, to a gunsmith for purposes of repair, or to the woods or fields of the state for purposes of hunting) is required to obtain a lifetime Firearm Purchaser Identification card, commonly referred to as FID, for the purchase of rifles and shotguns . To purchase a handgun, a separate permit is needed from the Chief of Police of their municipality, or the Superintendent of State Police if the municipality does not have a local police department . A permit is required for each handgun to be purchased and expires after 90 days but may be extended for an additional 90 days at the discretion of the Chief of Police or Superintendent of State Police . These, like the initial Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FID), are provided to applicants on a shall - issue basis . They require in - depth application questioning, multiple references and background checks via the State Bureau of Identification and New Jersey State Police; however, authorities do not have discretion and must issue permits to applicants who satisfy the criteria described in the statutes . Reasons for denial include being convicted of a crime (equivalent to a felony) or disorderly persons offense (equivalent to a misdemeanor) in the case of domestic violence . As of August 2013 anyone on the terror watchlist is also disqualified . </P> <P> NJ law states that Firearms Identification approval and / or handgun purchase permit (s) must be issued within 30 days . However, this is not always adhered to with some applicants waiting months to receive their permits . Applicants are able to appeal the denial of permits . The Firearm Purchaser ID card is also required to purchase handgun ammunition at dealers in the state . "Handgun ammunition" is interpreted as any caliber that can be used in a handgun, therefore some calibers that are typically used in rifles and shotguns require one to show a FPIC to purchase . </P>

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