2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in New Jersey (NJ) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 7 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in NJ for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in New Jersey for Cash in 2026

    New Jersey is widely recognized as having some of the strictest firearms regulations in the United States, making the process of legally buying, selling, or transferring a firearm exceptionally complicated. The state imposes regulations far beyond federal law, requiring permits and identification cards for all firearm acquisitions.

    Crucially, any person who is not a licensed retail dealer and sells or acquires any firearm (handgun, rifle, or shotgun) must now conduct the transaction through a licensed retail dealer (FFL). This universal background check and dealer transfer requirement, with very limited family exemptions, significantly complicates the already convoluted process.

    For those looking to buy, transfer, or sell a firearm, whether at an FFL or through a private transaction, both buyers and sellers must be thoroughly aware of the regulations to ensure full compliance with both state and federal law.

    This guide provides an overview of these complex laws, drawing information from authoritative sources, including the New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 54 (Firearms and Weapons) and memoranda from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

    Best options for selling a gun in New Jersey in 2026?

    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:

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – New Jersey Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with New Jersey firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with New Jersey firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      In New Jersey, gun owners are permitted to sell firearms through private transactions, but the state imposes rigorous oversight and specific documentation requirements. For the sale of rifles and shotguns—including BB, pellet, and black powder rifles—it is the seller’s legal responsibility to verify that the buyer holds a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card along with an additional form of photo identification. To be valid, the details on the Firearms Purchaser Identification Card must exactly match the transferor’s identification. Furthermore, both parties must complete a Certificate of Eligibility for each firearm, which can be obtained at any licensed dealer or online via the New Jersey State Police website.

      The process for handguns is even more strictly regulated, requiring a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun for every individual firearm transferred. The seller must ascertain that the buyer possesses both a valid permit and a secondary form of identification, ensuring that all information on the permit—including name, address, date of birth, and sex—matches the buyer’s identification. The seller and buyer are required to complete the permit together, and the seller is then responsible for forwarding the completed copies to the appropriate authorities according to the instructions printed on the document.

      While private transactions are allowed, New Jersey law generally mandates that all firearms transactions be conducted through a state-licensed retail firearms dealer. The only exceptions to this dealer requirement are transactions occurring between members of an immediate family, transfers between law enforcement officers, or sales between collectors who hold a valid federal Collector of Curios and Relics License. For more detailed information on these regulations, residents are directed to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in New Jersey

    Any individual purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) is required by federal law to complete the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), which the dealer must maintain. Furthermore, under the permanent provisions of the Federal Brady Law, the firearms purchaser must undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check, which the licensed firearms dealer performs.

    This check is crucial as it indicates to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background legally allows them to complete the firearm purchase. Should the NICS check result in a denial that the purchaser believes is unwarranted, a formal appeal process is available to challenge the decision and potentially receive the necessary clearance to complete the transaction.

    2026 Restrictions on Firearm Ownership in New Jersey

    To legally purchase a firearm in New Jersey, a buyer must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition (provided they have a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card or FPIC). Buyers looking to purchase handguns must be at least 21 years old (and possess a valid Permit to Purchase a Handgun).

    The following categories of persons are disqualified under New Jersey law from purchasing or possessing 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:

    1. Who has been convicted of any crime;
    2. Who is drug dependent as defined by N.J.S.A. 24:21-2;
    3. Who has been or is then confined for a mental disorder in any institution;
    4. Who is a habitual drunkard or an alcoholic;
    5. Who suffers from a physical defect or disease which would make it unsafe for him or her to handle firearms;
    6. Who knowingly falsifies any information on the application form for a permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser identification card;
    7. Who refuses to waive statutory or other rights of confidentiality relating to institutional confinement; or
    8. 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 Cash My Guns

    Given the extreme difficulty of navigating New Jersey’s gun laws—which mandate Permits (FPIC or Handgun Purchase Permit), require all private sales (handguns and long guns) to be conducted through an FFL (N.J.S. 2C:58-3), and impose severe felony penalties for illegal transfers—selling a firearm privately is stressful and legally dangerous.

    Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all New Jersey and federal regulations.

    We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the mandatory legal transfer process and ensure the buyer is lawfully eligible.

    The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish 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, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 New Jersey General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official New Jersey firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 New Jersey Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Can I sell a firearm privately in New Jersey in 2026?

      Yes, but you cannot complete the transfer on your own. New Jersey requires all firearm transfers—private or commercial—to go through a licensed FFL dealer so a state and federal background check can be performed.

    • What does a buyer need in order to purchase a firearm in New Jersey?

      Buyers must hold a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card for rifles and shotguns. Purchasing a handgun requires a separate Permit to Purchase a Handgun, which must be presented during the FFL transfer.

    • Are background checks required for private firearm transfers in New Jersey?

      Yes. Every firearm transfer must go through an FFL, who will run the mandatory background check. New Jersey does not allow private transfers without a dealer’s involvement.

    • Does New Jersey have firearm registration?

      New Jersey does not use the term “registration,” but all firearms transferred through an FFL are recorded by the state. Handgun purchases are logged in state records as required by New Jersey law.

    • Can I sell a firearm online if I live in New Jersey?

      Yes, you can list a firearm online, but the sale must be completed at an FFL. The buyer must provide the appropriate NJ permits and pass the required background checks before the firearm is released.

    • How does CashMyGuns help New Jersey sellers?

      CashMyGuns provides firearm valuations, secure shipping, and fast payment. All New Jersey sales are finalized through licensed FFL dealers to ensure compliance with state permitting rules and background check requirements.

    • How do I verify a buyer’s eligibility in New Jersey?

      The FFL handling your transfer will confirm eligibility. For a rifle or shotgun, the buyer must provide a valid FPIC card. For a handgun, they must provide a Permit to Purchase a Handgun. The background check is part of the transfer process.

    • Are there special rules for “assault firearms” in New Jersey?

      Yes. New Jersey bans the sale, transfer, and possession of most firearms classified as “assault firearms.” These firearms cannot be transferred privately or through an FFL unless configured in a way that is compliant with state law.

    • Are NFA-regulated items allowed in New Jersey?

      No. New Jersey prohibits civilian possession of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, machine guns, and other NFA items, even if federal approval is obtained. These items cannot be sold legally within the state.

    • What is a dependable way to receive a fair price for my firearm in New Jersey?

      Using a trusted service like CashMyGuns ensures clear, market-based pricing and guarantees that the transfer is handled in full compliance with New Jersey’s strict firearm laws in 2026.

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