How to Get an FFL in New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the most complex and layered firearms dealer regulatory environments in the United States. Operating an FFL in New Jersey requires a separate state-issued Retail Firearms Dealer License, compliance with a state point-of-contact background check system through the New Jersey State Police, a mandatory 7-day waiting period, strict assault weapons and magazine restrictions, and buyer ID card and permit requirements unlike almost any other state. For dealers who understand the requirements and invest in proper compliance systems, New Jersey's large population base — nearly 9.3 million residents — represents a substantial market. This guide covers everything you need to apply, get licensed at both the federal and state level, and operate compliantly from day one.
(3-year license)
Waiting Period
License Required
Background Checks
Eligibility Requirements
New Jersey imposes significant state-level eligibility and licensing requirements on top of the federal FFL process. Meeting federal eligibility is necessary but not sufficient — you must also qualify for and obtain the New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer License before conducting any firearms business in the state.
Unlike most states, New Jersey requires both a federal FFL and a separate New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer License. Neither alone is sufficient to legally operate a firearms dealership. You must obtain and maintain both simultaneously. The state license process runs through your local police department or county prosecutor's office and has its own application requirements, fees, and approval timeline. Plan your launch timeline accordingly — the combined process typically takes 90 to 180 days.
Federal Requirements (All States)
- At least 21 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not under indictment or convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Not a fugitive from justice
- Not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance
- Not adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
- Not subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child
- Not convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Have a valid business premises
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal, state, or local law
New Jersey State Eligibility Requirements
- Must hold or simultaneously obtain a New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer License (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-2)
- Must not have any disqualifying criminal convictions under New Jersey law (broader than federal disqualifiers)
- Premises must comply with local zoning requirements
- Must satisfy the local police chief or county prosecutor that the business will be conducted in a safe and lawful manner
- Must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services for a business certificate and sales tax collection
- Must obtain a New Jersey Certificate of Authority to collect New Jersey Sales Tax (6.625%)
New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer License
New Jersey's Retail Firearms Dealer License is a state-issued license required under N.J.S.A. 2C:58-2. It is separate from and in addition to your federal FFL. No person may engage in the business of selling, trading, or transferring firearms in New Jersey without this license.
How to Apply for the NJ State License
- Application authority: Apply through your local police department (if your municipality has one) or your county prosecutor's office (for municipalities served by the county or state police)
- Application form: STS-33 — Application for Retail Dealer's License to Sell Firearms, available from the New Jersey State Police or your local issuing authority
- Fingerprinting: All applicants and responsible persons must be fingerprinted through the New Jersey State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
- Background investigation: The issuing authority conducts a full background investigation including criminal history, mental health records, and character references
- Zoning approval: You must demonstrate that your premises is properly zoned for retail firearms sales
- License fee: Varies by municipality — typically $50 to $150 per year
- License term: New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer Licenses are issued for a 1-year term and must be renewed annually
- Display requirement: The license must be prominently displayed at your place of business
Unlike your federal FFL (which is issued for 3 years), New Jersey's state dealer license must be renewed every year. Allowing it to lapse — even for a day — means you cannot legally conduct any firearm transfers until it is reinstated. Build annual renewal reminders into your compliance calendar well in advance of the expiration date.
New Jersey State License vs. Federal FFL — Key Differences
| Feature | NJ State Dealer License | Federal FFL |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Local PD / County Prosecutor | ATF |
| Term | 1 year (annual renewal) | 3 years |
| Application Fee | ~$50–$150 (varies) | $200 (Type 01) |
| Fingerprinting | NJ AFIS (state system) | FD-258 cards (federal) |
| Background Check | NJ State Police investigation | ATF / FBI NICS |
| Zoning Review | Required — local authority | Not separately required |
| Display Requirement | Must be posted at premises | Must be available for inspection |
| Both Required? | Yes — both licenses are required simultaneously | |
FFL Types & Cost Breakdown
The ATF FFL type you apply for depends on your intended business activities. Most New Jersey gun stores apply for a Type 01. Given New Jersey's assault weapons ban and magazine restrictions, carefully assess your planned product mix before investing in inventory.
| Type | Description | Initial Fee (3 Yr) | Renewal Fee (3 Yr) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dealer in Firearms | $200 | $90 | Gun stores, transfer agents |
| 02 | Pawnbroker | $200 | $90 | Pawn shops dealing in firearms |
| 03 | Collector of Curios & Relics | $30 | $30 | Personal collectors (not for business) |
| 06 | Manufacturer of Ammunition | $30 | $30 | Ammo manufacturers |
| 07 | Manufacturer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Gun builders, custom shops |
| 08 | Importer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Firearms importers |
| 09 | Dealer in Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized dealers |
| 10 | Manufacturer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized manufacturers |
| 11 | Importer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized importers |
New Jersey's NFA landscape is significantly more restricted than most states. Suppressors are illegal in New Jersey — possession is a crime regardless of federal tax stamp status. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) are also generally prohibited under New Jersey law. Machine guns are prohibited. New Jersey FFLs should not deal in suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, or machine guns. Confirming which NFA categories are permissible for your specific business with a New Jersey firearms attorney before seeking SOT status is strongly advisable.
Step-by-Step Application Process
New Jersey's dual-licensing requirement means you are running two parallel application processes. Many dealers find it practical to begin the state license process first, since local approval of your premises and zoning will inform your ATF application as well.
Prepare Your Business Structure & Premises
Form your business entity and register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Obtain an EIN from the IRS. Secure your premises and verify zoning compliance with your municipality — this is a prerequisite for both the state dealer license and your ATF application. Obtain a New Jersey Certificate of Authority for sales tax collection. New Jersey's state sales tax rate is 6.625%.
Apply for the New Jersey Retail Firearms Dealer License
Obtain and complete Form STS-33 from your local police department or county prosecutor's office. Submit the application with required documentation, fingerprints through the NJ AFIS system, and applicable fee. The issuing authority will conduct a background investigation and zoning review. This process typically takes 30–90 days depending on jurisdiction. You cannot complete firearms transfers until both this license and your federal FFL are in hand.
Choose Your FFL Type & Complete ATF Form 7
Select the FFL type matching your activities and complete ATF Form 7 (5310.12). Provide complete details about your business, all responsible persons, and your premises. Many dealers run the ATF application concurrently with the state license process to reduce total wait time.
Complete Federal Fingerprint Cards & Photographs
Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2×2 passport-style photographs. Note that New Jersey also requires separate AFIS fingerprinting for the state dealer license — these are two different fingerprinting processes with different submission systems.
Submit ATF Application & Fee
Mail the completed ATF Form 7, fingerprint cards, photographs, and application fee (check or money order payable to ATF) to the ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center in Atlanta, GA. You may also apply through the ATF eApplication portal.
Notify Your CLEO
Send a copy of your completed ATF Form 7 to your local CLEO — your municipal police chief or county prosecutor. In New Jersey, your CLEO is also likely the same authority processing your state dealer license application, so maintain clear communication with their office throughout both processes.
Complete the ATF Interview & Inspection
An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will schedule a premises visit. They'll verify your identity, inspect storage and security, and confirm your understanding of federal firearms laws and — importantly in New Jersey — your awareness of state-specific requirements including the FPIC and Permit to Purchase system, waiting period, assault weapons restrictions, and magazine limits. New Jersey falls under the ATF Newark Field Division.
Set Up Your Full Compliance System
New Jersey's compliance stack is among the most demanding in the country. Before your first transaction, configure: NJSP background check workflow, 7-day waiting period tracking, buyer FPIC and Permit to Purchase verification procedures, assault weapons and magazine compliance for inventory, and your A&D bound book. Bravo E4473 automates waiting period calculations and 4473 compliance tracking — essential in a state where manual errors carry serious legal consequences.
Timeline & Process Flowchart
New Jersey's dual-licensing process makes it the longest FFL startup timeline of any state. Running both applications in parallel is the most efficient approach.
| Phase | Activity | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Application | Business setup, zoning verification, NJ business registration | 2–3 weeks |
| State License | STS-33 application, AFIS fingerprints, local investigation | 30–90 days |
| ATF Application | Form 7, FD-258 fingerprints, submit (run concurrently) | 1–2 weeks to submit |
| ATF Processing | Background checks, application review | 30–45 days |
| ATF Interview | IOI premises inspection | 1–2 weeks (scheduling) |
| Both Licenses in Hand | Begin operations only after both are received | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Total | Business setup through first legal transfer | 90–180 days typical |
New Jersey-Specific Firearms Laws
New Jersey has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the country. Every item below directly affects FFL operations and dealer compliance obligations.
Assault Weapons Restrictions
New Jersey's assault weapons law (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-5) prohibits the manufacture, transfer, shipment, or sale of assault firearms as defined under state law. The definition is broad and covers many semiautomatic rifles and shotguns with specified features, as well as specific named models. New Jersey FFLs cannot sell assault firearms as defined under state law. Consult a New Jersey firearms attorney to review your intended inventory against the current prohibited list before stocking.
Magazine Capacity Restriction — 10 Rounds
New Jersey prohibits the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of magazines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds. This applies to all firearm types. Dealers cannot sell large-capacity magazines and must ensure their firearm inventory does not come standard-equipped with prohibited magazines.
Minimum Age — 21 for All Firearms
New Jersey requires purchasers to be at least 21 years old to purchase any firearm — handgun or long gun. Federal law permits 18+ for long gun purchases from licensed dealers, but New Jersey's stricter 21-minimum governs all sales in the state.
No Permitless Carry
New Jersey does not have constitutional carry. A Permit to Carry a Handgun is required for concealed carry, issued by the Superior Court after application through local police. New Jersey's carry permit process is among the most involved in the country. Open carry is effectively prohibited for civilians.
One Handgun Per Month
New Jersey limits handgun purchases to one handgun per 30-day period per buyer, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and certain collectors. Dealers must track purchases and refuse transactions that would violate this limit. Bravo E4473 tracks purchase history to help flag potential one-handgun-per-month violations.
Handgun Ammunition Sales
New Jersey restricts the sale of certain types of handgun ammunition — including hollow-point bullets — to purchases made at licensed dealers for use at home, on one's property, or at shooting ranges. Dealers should be aware of these restrictions when selling handgun ammunition.
No Preemption — Local Ordinances May Apply
Unlike many states, New Jersey does not have a strong statewide firearms preemption law. Municipalities may enact local ordinances more restrictive than state law in certain areas. This means FFLs must research and comply with both state law and any local ordinances in their specific municipality. Engaging a local firearms attorney familiar with your county is particularly advisable in New Jersey.
New Jersey's lack of comprehensive firearms preemption means local ordinances can add compliance obligations beyond state law. Before opening, have a New Jersey firearms attorney review not only state statutes but also your specific municipality's local ordinances. This is particularly important in densely regulated areas such as Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Camden, and their surrounding townships.
Buyer ID Card & Permit Requirements
New Jersey has a unique purchaser identification and permitting system that dealers must verify for every transaction. This is one of the most operationally distinct aspects of running an FFL in New Jersey compared to other states.
Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC)
- Required for the purchase of any firearm (handgun or long gun) in New Jersey
- Issued by the local police department after a background investigation
- Valid indefinitely (no expiration date) unless revoked
- Dealer must verify and record the FPIC number for every firearm purchase
- The FPIC must be presented in person — dealers cannot accept a photocopy or photo of the card
- First-time applicants in New Jersey must obtain an FPIC before purchasing any firearm — this creates a significant lead time for new buyers that dealers should communicate upfront
Permit to Purchase a Handgun
- Required in addition to the FPIC for every handgun purchase
- A separate, single-use permit — one permit per handgun transaction
- Issued by the local police department after a background check
- Valid for 90 days from issuance (extendable once for an additional 90 days)
- Dealers must verify the permit is valid, unexpired, and not previously used
- The permit is retained by the dealer after the transaction — one copy goes to the dealer, one to the NJSP, one to the buyer
- Subject to the one handgun per 30-day limit — only one permit may be used per 30-day period
New Jersey buyers unfamiliar with the state's system are often surprised to learn they need both an FPIC and a separate Permit to Purchase before buying a handgun — and the permit process alone can take 30–45+ days through local police. New Jersey FFLs who proactively educate first-time buyers about the FPIC and permit process, and who maintain clear signage and informational materials in-store, consistently report fewer frustrated customers and smoother transactions.
CLEO Notification in New Jersey
Federal law requires you to provide a copy of your ATF Form 7 to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in your jurisdiction. In New Jersey, this is typically your municipal police chief or, in municipalities without their own police department, the county prosecutor. New Jersey has 21 counties and 564 municipalities — one of the most complex municipal structures of any state.
- In most cases your CLEO is the same authority processing your state dealer license — maintaining a professional relationship with that office is particularly important in New Jersey
- New Jersey counties are served by county prosecutors who also function as CLEO for unincorporated and state-policed municipalities
- Find county prosecutor offices via the New Jersey County Prosecutors Association
Home-Based FFLs in New Jersey
Home-based FFLs are the most challenging category of firearms dealer to establish in New Jersey. While not explicitly prohibited by state law, the practical and regulatory barriers are substantial in most parts of the state.
- State dealer license requires local approval: Your local police chief or county prosecutor must approve your premises as part of the state dealer license process. In most residential-zoned New Jersey municipalities, this approval is difficult or impossible to obtain for a home-based location.
- Zoning: New Jersey's dense urban and suburban municipalities almost universally require commercial or mixed-use zoning for retail firearms sales. Home occupation ordinances in most NJ towns prohibit customer traffic, retail signage, and firearms-related commercial activities in residential areas.
- Rural exceptions: Some rural municipalities in South Jersey (Salem, Cumberland, Cape May counties) and northwestern New Jersey (Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon counties) may have more permissive zoning. These areas represent the most viable locations for a home-based NJ FFL.
- No-storefront transfer operations: Even in locations where a home-based premises might be approved, New Jersey's regulatory framework makes appointment-only, transfer-focused operations (with no walk-in retail) easier to justify to local authorities than a full retail storefront.
- Legal counsel strongly recommended: Any New Jersey dealer considering a home-based operation should consult with a New Jersey firearms and land use attorney before applying to either the local authority or the ATF.
New Jersey's large, densely populated market creates strong demand for FFL transfer services — particularly as online firearm purchases grow. Every firearm purchased online by a New Jersey resident must be transferred through a local FFL. New Jersey dealers who operate efficient, competitively priced transfer operations — even without large inventory — can build a reliable, scalable revenue stream serving the state's 9.3 million residents. The compliance overhead of operating in New Jersey is real, but so is the market size.
4473 & Background Check Requirements in New Jersey
Every firearm transfer from a New Jersey FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473, a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) background check, and a mandatory 7-day waiting period. New Jersey's compliance workflow is among the most layered in the country and requires careful configuration before your first transaction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
See How Bravo E4473 Works for New Jersey FFLs
Automatic 7-day waiting period tracking. NJSP background check workflow support. FPIC & Permit to Purchase transaction logging. One-handgun-per-month monitoring. Integrated A&D Bound Book. Cloud storage with ATF audit portal.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. New Jersey firearms law is complex and changes frequently. Always verify current requirements with the ATF, New Jersey State Police, and a qualified New Jersey firearms attorney before applying for any license or conducting any transfers.