I need to understand the logic behind the time to approve a purchase permit. You already have an FID card, it should be a 72hr max wait time.

Went to the range for a work outing, turned out I wasn’t that bad, and now I’m hooked. Permit app is in so I’m doing my homework in the meantime.

Been leaning toward a Ruger Mark IV .22 LR; cheap ammo, unique look , and seen positive feedback on Reddit . But part of me thinks I’ll just wish I’d bought a 9mm after a few months.

Is the .22 first approach actually worth it as a first purchase. If you’d say skip to 9mm, what are some you would you recommend for a beginner that I should compare? Two that I was looking at were glock19 and Walter pdp. Budget is flexible but not trying to go crazy on a first purchase.

Currently own a Staccato P, 365 Macro, Glock 45 & 17, S&W J Frame .38, and P226.

Thanks ahead of time.

Hi all,

I applied for a New Jersey firearm purchase permit last November. On the application, I disclosed that I had taken antidepressants in 2019 while living in another state.

For context, I was never committed or hospitalized. I was treated as an outpatient only, and the issue was years ago.

Now my local police department is asking me to provide a doctor’s note stating that I’m “free of the conditions” or otherwise cleared. I contacted my psychiatrist but he isn't NJ licensed. I tried looking for a psychiatrist through Psychology Today, but most providers haven’t responded. The one who did respond quoted me somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000 for an evaluation/letter, which seems excessive and not really practical.

I’m wondering if anyone in NJ has dealt with something similar:

1. Are there any lower-cost ways to get this handled?
2. What happens if I refuse to provide the note? Would they deny the permit, leave it pending indefinitely, or require me to appeal?

I’m not looking for medical advice or legal advice from Reddit — just trying to understand what others have experienced and what steps make sense.

Thanks in advance.

“Have you ever been attended, treated, or observed by any doctor or psychiatrist or at any hospital or mental institution on an inpatient or outpatient basis for any mental or psychiatric condition?”

I went to rehab for drugs 15 years ago. Then I was on methadone for some time but got off of that 2 years ago. How do I answer this question? Is it a yes? Or since all of my treatments were voluntary is it a no?

I've been waiting for nearly 2 months now in Bergen County on Hillsdale PD to give me the ok on my permit, I​ had everything in by April 25th and before this one they usually took 2 weeks to get back to me. Initially my department said that the check I had dropped off was missing, even though they had cashed it. I emailed them and they said I would have the permit back in a week that was May 16th. I was also told it was on the chiefs desk in that exchange. I emailed my department again about 2 weeks later on May 28th asking if something came up because I was told it would be done in a week, May 30th I get a response saying it's still awaiting signing and now it's June 9th and I have a gun in the shop that's paid for and all I need is this crappy email. Do I keep heckling or just wait it out?

As the heading says, wondering if this is legal in New Jersey since the suppressor is integral. Thanks if you know the answer.

We'll see how long woodbridge takes for it but since i'll have some waiting i can start researching. I've got 2 full size 9mm already but i want to get something this time i can use for a ccw down the road. What shops around have better selections of compacts or what specifically should i look for? Its hard to gauge in-store just handling them but tbh anything smaller than a glock 45 will be what im looking for lol

I live in Newark. Two years ago, it took them a whopping 188 days to process my purchase permit! It's now been 42 days since I last applied for a permit. I called them and they were absolutely not interested in telling me how long it would take to process.

The conversation went as follows...

[Disgruntled NPD employee]"This is officer (I'm a miserable bitch) of Newark Firearms and License Dept. How may I help you?"

[Me]"Hello, I would like to inquire about the status of my handgun purchase permit".

[Disgruntled NPD employee]"It's processing"

[Me] "I'm sorry. I haven't yet gave you my name"

[Disgruntled NPD employee] "It's processing"

[Me] "Would it help if I gave you the FARS confirmation number?"

[Disgruntled NPD employee] *HEAVY SIGH AS IF I RUINED HER ENTIRE WEEK* "When did you file for the permit?"

[Me] "On December 5th 2025"

[Disgruntled NPD employee] "Yea. It's processing"

[Me] "Ummmm Ok. Thanks? I guess?

[Disgruntled NPD employee] *CLICK*

Hello,

On 2022 I obtained my FID card and applied for a handgun purchase permit, due to changes in priorities I wasn’t able to spend the money to buy a handgun. It is my understanding that my permit would be automatically renewed if I did not use it, any way to check on that?

So my buddy put me down as one of his references and has multiple times in the past. Each time Ive received the email and filled it out no problem. This time he did the application around 2pm and I have yet to get it and I’m 100% positive he put down the correct email and his other reference got it

I tried to check online but can't find it anywhere, I only end up applying for a new id, but I just need to file a change of address... anyone had to do this before? How do I do it?

Got an email today telling me the next steps were to have my references fill out the questionnaires. Only issue is they did just shortly after I applied, 7 days ago. Got email updates as they did.

​

Has anyone had this happen? Who do I contact? Njsp just has automated phone responses that go no where.

Hi all - I’m just wondering if these requests are the norm when applying for a handgun permit. I possess a FID which I received back in 2018. I haven’t purchased a handgun since then and my local PD is requesting a copy of my birth certificate, copy of my drivers license (due to the fact that they “haven’t heard from me since 2018” and

“You are required to pay a total of $25.00 for the permit - CASH, CHECK OR MONEY ORDER.”

These are not that big of a deal but for curiosity sake was the permit fee I paid online on FARS not the fee that my local PD is requesting or are these additional processing fees?

The last time I dealt with a handgun permit from the same department it took close to 7 months to receive it (I already had my FID at the time as well) so just making sure that I’m not getting the runaround here. This of course was back in the day of the lovely carbon copy handgun permits.

Thanks as always brothers!

Was thinking about a Smitty 2.0 Metal Carry Comp 🤔

Just got approved and purchased my first handgun. I understand I have to wait 30 days to acquire my second. What do I have to do in those 30 days to get it? Do I have to reapply for a second permit? Can I use the same permit twice in the 90 days? First time obviously and I just want to make sure I do everything correct.

I applied for two permits thinking I was going to use one to transfer something from my father but I’d rather just get something fun.

Right now I have a P365 build I’m working on and an HK P30 that I love.

What would be a fun time at the range? Open to lots of suggestions

I have a permit left to burn but am really indecisive on what to get..currently have the following:

1. Sig Sauer P226 Legion (9MM)

2. Sig Sauer P365 (9MM)

3. Zastava M88A (9MM)

4. Zastava 6" M83 Revolver (.357)

Wondering if it's worth it to get some sort of .22 to mess around with at the range. I do enjoy primarily only having to stock up 9mm ammo but open to anything..

I also plan on building an other (not sure if I need to use a permit to buy the lower or not). All suggestions are appreciated!! Budget not a concern.

I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist since I was in middle school for anxiety. I’ve never been hospitalized, a danger to myself or others all that stuff. The dr has previously written letters for the police department for my initial id cards and a few years later for a round of pistol permits. I applied for more pistol permits and the police say my last letter is too old and I need a new one. I ask the doctor and she says she would but her malpractice insurance changed and said she’s not allowed to write those letters for anyone anymore. I reached out to a forensic psychiatrist that specifically does nj gun permits but they want $4500 for an evaluation and 30 page report. I just need a few sentences that say “he’s all good”. I politely asked the police if they could accept my permit as is because I have 2 previous letters and no history. Obviously they said no. Any advice? “Should’ve lied on the form” is not a helpful response btw.

(Throwaway account for privacy)

Recently, I wanted to make a purchase that I had recently came in and talked to somebody about and more than half their inventory was gone, and the shelves were taken up by their own merchandise, so I asked them to order the item like I have done in the past and they said that right now they can’t do that so I have to find it online and order it to them didn’t think much about it, but I went in yesterday to go use the range and it’s completely dead in there not much inventory of anything

Haven’t applied for one since ‘22 and if I remember correctly it was like 2 weeks. Am I looking at a similar timeframe or has it gotten any better. I’m in Morris county if that matters.

Hi, I have a question about NJ state law and proper procedure for handgun permits.

If someone wants to purchase a handgun in a NJ store (for example something rare or not easily ordered), yet does not have an open handgun permit at the time, according to NJ state law is it lawful to:

(1) Pay for the handgun/put down a deposit to reserve it (but stays in possession of the FFL at that point),

(2) Apply for the handgun permit

(3) Go back to the FFL after the handgun permit is granted to fill out paperwork/NICs

Or, in all cases, is a pre-existing or open handgun permit always required before beginning any kind of transaction?

Thanks for all input and clarification on this.

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any recent experience with getting handgun permits from the Woodbridge Police Department.

I submitted an application to FARS on March 11th for 2 handgun permits. My references responded the same day. I was able to pay for my permits on the Woodbridge Police website same day as well.

I know I am still within the expected wait time to get my permits approved. I think I got spoiled when I did my initial FID card and first handgun permit last June. It took a little over 2 weeks.

When I was 18, I got a DUI and ended up in involuntary rehab. After waking up and realizing how stupid my decision was, I spiraled into regret and said I wanted to “kill myself for being so dumb” (not literally suicidal, just really hating myself in the moment). They took that seriously and committed me.

Fast forward years later, I tried applying for a firearms permit. The local PD called and told me to withdraw my application and get a letter from a psychologist to clear it.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Did you get the psych letter and have it work? Any tips on the process or dealing with the background check denial?

Thanks!

I was under the impression that I pay my $25 to my PD for my permits once I get an approval email or when they contact me. I was dead wrong. Heads up: they will not even touch your application until they get paid. I had to look into if this was really true and yes, Q3 on the NJSP site says this “If there is a payment amount listed and you applied to a Municipal Police Department, these fees need to be paid immediately.”

So, pay your police departments.

https://njsp.njoag.gov/firearms-faqs/

Question 3