How to Sell a Gun in New Jersey: A Comprehensive Guide of New Jersey Gun Laws

New Jersey has some of the most strict firearms regulations in place when compared to other states in the U.S. Buying or selling a firearm can be a complicated process in general, however, with the abundance of state and federal regulations surrounding firearms, this already complicated process can become even more convoluted with the additional laws. For those who are looking to buy, transfer or sell a firearm at a federally licensed firearm dealer or through a private transaction, buyers and sellers should be aware of the regulations in place in order to be in compliance with state and federal law.

The following information is compiled from the New Jersey State Police’s document on New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13. Law and Public Safety Chapter 54. Firearms and Weapons, and a memorandum on New Jersey State Laws and Published Ordinance on firearms to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

What Selling Options do Gun Owners Have in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, a Firearm Identification card or Permit to Purchase is required to buy, transfer and sell a gun. This applies to antique and black powder firearms as well. There are a few ways gun owners can sell a firearm in a legal transaction:

Gun owners can sell their firearm to a local dealer. This is a good way to help ensure gun owners are complying with gun laws in New Jersey for firearm sales. However, sellers may be leaving money on the table by selling for much less than the gun’s actual market value.
Gun owners can sell a firearm through a private transaction. However, It is the responsibility of the seller of the rifles and/or shotguns, including bb, pellet, and black powder rifles to ascertain that the buyer has a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card plus one additional form of photo identification and completes a Certificate of Eligibility for each firearm. The information contained on the Firearms Purchaser Identification Card must match the identification of the transferor to be valid. A Certificate of Eligibility can be obtained at any licensed firearms dealer or online at nj.gov/njsp/firearms/forms.shtml.
A Permit to Purchase a Handgun must be completed for each handgun transferred in New Jersey. It is the responsibility of the seller of the handgun to ascertain that the buyer has a valid Permit to Purchase a Handgun and one additional form of identification. The information on the Handgun Purchase Permit must match the identification of the transferor. ( i.e, name address, DOB, sex, etc.) The permit must be completed by the seller and buyer. It is the responsibility of the seller to forward the copies to the appropriate authority. Instructions are printed on the permit. All firearms transactions must be completed at a State licensed retail firearms dealer with the exemption of transactions between (A) members of an immediate family (B) law enforcement officers (C) collectors in possession of a valid Collector of Curios and Relics License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 for further information)
Another option if simply wanting to legally dispose of a firearm is surrendering it to local law enforcement. However, by doing this, gun owners potentially lose on hundreds or even thousands of dollars those guns could be worth in a sale.

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What is the Process of Buying a Firearm from a Dealer in New Jersey?

Anyone purchasing a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer must complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms form 4473 (firearms transaction form). This form will be maintained by the dealer. A firearms purchaser must, under the permanent provisions of the Federal Brady Law, also undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System check, which will be performed by the firearms dealer.

The check will indicate to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background allows for the person to complete the purchase of the firearm. If the check disallows the sale for no warranted reason, there is an appeal process the purchaser can pursue to receive the necessary clearance to complete the purchase.

Restrictions on Firearm Ownership New Jersey

In order to purchase a firearm legally, the buyer must be 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns and ammunition. Buyers looking to purchase handguns must be at least 21 years old.

The following disqualifies a person in New Jersey from purchasing a firearm.

13:54-1.5 Prerequisites for a permit to purchase handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card

(a) Every person issued a permit to purchase a handgun, or a firearms purchaser identification card, shall be 18 years of age and of good repute in the community in which he lives.

(b) A permit to purchase a handgun, or a firearm purchaser identification card, shall not be issued to any person:

Who has been convicted of any crime;
Who is drug dependent as defined by N.J.S.A. 24:21-2;
Who has been or is then confined for a mental disorder in any institution;
Who is a habitual drunkard or an alcoholic;
Who suffers from a physical defect or disease which would make it unsafe for him or her to handle firearms;
Who knowingly falsifies any information on the application form for a permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser identification card;
Who refuses to waive statutory or other rights of confidentiality relating to institutional confinement; or
Where the issuance would otherwise not be in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare.

FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
Felony pre-trial release.
Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
Renounced U.S. citizenship.
Illegal alien.

Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Dunlap Gun Buyers

If the hassle of navigating New Jersey’s gun laws seems overwhelming, we’re excited to tell you that there’s a better way!

You can safely, easily and legally sell your handgun or long gun to Dunlap Gun Buyers and be 100% compliant with New Jersey gun laws.

We have a Federal Firearms Licensee, who is licensed by the U.S. Government to help people with selling and transferring of firearms. We take care of the hard part and make the process safe, quick and hassle-free. The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house.

Just tell us which gun(s) you’d like to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us. When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days.

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“DISCLAIMER”
The information contained on this website has been prepared as a service to the internet community and is not intended to constitute legal advice. CashMyGuns.com has used reasonable efforts in collecting, preparing, and providing quality information and material, but does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or currency of the information contained in or linked to this website. Users of information from this website or links do so at their own risk and should consult their local firearm law resources and/or an attorney when engaging in selling a firearm. The cited information in this article was obtained on 09/13/23 from https://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/firearms/njac-title13-ch54.pdf, www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/guide/new-jersey-firearms-statutes-and-codes/download and https://www.njsp.org/firearms/firearms-faqs.shtml