Do You Need a Permit to Own an Airsoft Gun in New Jersey

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New Jersey's "Graves Act" is i of the toughest gun laws in the country. Unlike many states, New Bailiwick of jersey doesn't distinguish between airsoft guns or BB guns and other firearms. While you lot may be able to easily buy a used airsoft gun or BB gun at a flea market or yard sale, yous technically demand a firearms license to own it. Without a license, you face up strict minimum penalties including jail time, even if it's your first offense.

A 22-year-erstwhile man in Glassboro, New Bailiwick of jersey establish out the hard way. Police responding to complaints from neighbors arrested the immature human being for having an unlicensed airsoft gun. Co-ordinate to local news reports, he was shooting rubber duckies in his back yard.

Applying for a Permit

Your starting time step in applying for a permit to own an airsoft gun is to consummate the application and take it to your local law station. In that location, you will be fingerprinted. You lot also must sign a consent form for police to check your mental wellness records.

You'll need to provide two character references. You lot may want to call your local police department ahead of time and find out if at that place are additional requirements regarding your references. For example, some departments don't allow you to utilize references who are relatives or related to y'all past marriage.

Once you've completed and filed the application, it will take at least 30 days for the law department to issue your card. In some parts of New Bailiwick of jersey it may have longer, depending on the size and location of the police department and the resources available. With this ID card, yous may purchase a long gun. If you lot want a handgun-style airsoft or BB gun, you must use for a handgun permit.

Buying Airsoft Guns in New Jersey

In one case you go your firearms allow, you can purchase your airsoft gun at a dealer. The dealer will give you a form to complete for an additional background check at the time of purchase. Brand sure you also bring a regime-issued photo ID.

While yous don't take to annals firearms you ain with the country, dealers are required to record detailed information about the transaction. This requirement technically applies to airsoft guns and BB guns equally well. If you purchase one of these guns at a sporting goods store, you likely will be asked for your firearms permit, and the buy will be recorded in the store's logs.

Still, y'all can also buy airsoft guns and BB guns at flea markets or garage sales. Since the individuals there typically aren't licensed dealers, they aren't going to make any record of the transaction. This sort of sale of used guns is legal in New Jersey, merely you nonetheless need a firearms allow to keep and use the gun.

While you lot aren't required to register any guns you ain, New Jersey does have a voluntary registration arrangement. Registering your gun tin be benign if, for instance, the gun is stolen.

Penalties for Graves Act Violations

The Graves Act includes a mandatory minimum prison house sentence of between 5 and ten years for first-time offenders. An offender is not eligible for parole until she has served a minimum of 3 years.

While it is possible to use for a waiver of the mandatory minimum sentence, prosecutors are reluctant to concur to waivers. If you don't have a license and you get caught with an airsoft or BB gun, your best bet is to hire an experienced chaser who specializes in defending people charged with Graves Act offenses.

Tips

If yous want to own an airsoft gun in New Jersey, you must take a full general firearms license. This is true fifty-fifty if the gun was lawfully purchased at a flea market or sporting goods store.