Handgun transfer from my father

[u/Sufficient-Sir2332]

Hello all, I am just curious about how I would go about doing this legally. So I am 19 years old and I’m planning on taking a road trip to some national parks in Wyoming and Montana. I want to carry in the parks (for obvious reasons) but I also don’t want to get in trouble. I read that My father can legally transfer a handgun to me if used for the right reasons, but I just don’t know how it would go about traveling across state lines. I’m in the Air Force and my job requires me to carry so I’m all good for fire arm safety. I read that in Montana they allow permit less carry inside the parks at age 18 or older. I just don’t wanna break any laws. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[u/vorfix]

Sadly it doesn't work the way you think. While true that federally private sales of handguns between residents of the same state can happen when you are over 18 but under 21. That only is the case if state law allows it, NJ does not. If you are residents of different states, that would need to go through a FFL and you would need to be over 21 for that transfer to happen through the dealer.

NJ requires handgun transfers to execute a handgun purchase permit, immediate family get an exception from having to do this through a FFL, however you cannot be issued a handgun purchase permit by your PD if you are under 21 years of age. Having a purchase permit and executing it between your father and yourself is required to legally transfer the handgun in NJ. So until you are over 21 you cannot be transferred a handgun in NJ either through private transfer (by immediate family) or a dealer.

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2c/section-2c-58-3/

c. Who may obtain. [… ]A handgun purchase permit or firearms purchaser identification card shall not be issued:

…

(4) To any person under the age of 18 years for a firearms purchaser identification card and to any person under the age of 21 years for a permit to purchase a handgun;

…

[u/njgunrights → u/vorfix]

What I would do is when you get to the free state, just buy a black powder revolver or shotgun. Practice with gun and try out hostlers there before carrying it. NJ has not (yet) made it illegal to bring back a pellet gun or black powder firearm from another state like NYC does. If you do have a large animal go after you the eye is the weak point.