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New Jersey’s new handgun permit requirements demand police-level shooting proficiency, raising questions about their necessity in civilian self-defense.
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Critics claim the law discriminates against the physically handicapped & suppresses Second Amendment rights, echoing historic voting rights injustices.
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The rigorous new training program for firearm handling & storage is overly restrictive, likened to qualifying as a NASCAR racer to drive.
A new, much more difficult level of shooting proficiency is now required for subjects in New Jersey who wish to keep or obtain their state-issued permission slips to Carry a Handgun.
The new requirements demand timed firing from concealed holsters. Kneeling position shooting and accurately shooting at 25 yards are also incorporated into the course. It is hard to envision citizen self-defense scenarios justifying the use of deadly force at 25 yards! Add to that, there are no exceptions for physically handicapped people. The new requirements are basically the same requirements utilized for retired police officers to get their New Jersey RPO handgun carry card.
This means that any citizen who wishes to exercise their Second Amendment rights must now have the same skill level of proficiency as a veteran law enforcement officer who has trained and qualified with firearms for years!
If a person wants a Drivers License, should they be required to qualify as a NASCAR Racer before receiving it? Yet, driving is not a Constitutional right, but carrying a gun is one. Harsh requirements are not permitted for the exercise of Constitutional rights. New Jersey is using a variation out of the racist playbook of Southern Democrats who tried to stop Blacks from voting by demanding poll taxes and literacy tests. The anti-Constitutional rights NJ Democrats have done the same thing here for the exercise of Second Amendment rights by all citizens with the passage of the Murphy “Carry Killer” Anti-Civil Rights law.
By July 1, 2023, the Superintendent of State Police was required to establish training requirements for the lawful and safe handling and storage of firearms consisting of (1) an online course, (2) in-person classroom instruction, and (3) target training by a certified firearm instructor at approved ranges published on the State Police website.
The Superintendent of State Police failed to do this by July 1, 2023. Instead, on July 17, 2023, the Superintendent issued “Use of Force Interim Training For Private Citizens Concealed Carry” (nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/PTC_use_of_force_and_Qual.pdf ).
The State Police also issued an online “Firearms Identification Card Safety & Awareness Interim Training”. Even though this online presentation is supposed to be for Carry Permits, the State Police apparently didn’t bother to proofread their online presentation and titled it for “Firearms Identification Card”. It is an indication of just how rushed and poorly executed this was in their attempt to comply with the law.
(nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/Firearms_Safety_and_Awarness_PPT.pptx)
The required level of proficiency to pass the training requirements are as follows: qualification on a course of fire substantially similar to HQC2 (modified) included in the Private Citizen Concealed Carry Use of Force Training manual, utilizing a minimum of 50 rounds and receiving a minimum score of 80%. This is confirmed by the State Police “New Jersey Permit To Carry Safe Handling And Proficiency In The Use Of Handguns Certification,” which may be viewed here:
(file:///C:/Users/gunla/Downloads/sp-182_PTC_Safe_Handling_and_Proficiency_Certification.pdf)
This is the form that must be completed by October 1, 2023, for current Permit to Carry a Handgun holders and all for new applications.
The course of fire (HQC2 (modified) and Use of Force Training manual is found here:
(nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/PTC_use_of_force_and_Qual.pdf )
Under N.J.S. 2C:58-4a., one permit is sufficient for all handguns owned by the permit holder. In the past with Judge issued permits, many Judges wrongfully limited permits to specific guns the permit holder could carry. Now that injustice has been addressed. To carry any handgun a permit holder owns, a person now simply submits the following form to the issuing authority (Chief or Superintendent) listing the guns intended to be carried. Here is the link to the form:
nj.gov/njsp/firearms/pdf/sp-182a_PTC_Additional_Handguns_Intended_to_be_Carried.pdf .
Most people who have already been issued a Permit to Carry a Handgun WILL HAVE TO REQUALIFY BY OCTOBER 1, 2023.
A person who obtained a NJ Permit to Carry a Handgun and whose permit does not expire before December 22, 2023, (typically, those whose permit was issued after December 22, 2021) shall comply with the new training requirements no later than October 1, 2023.
However, this does not apply to a person who obtained a NJ Permit to Carry a Handgun after July 1, 2023, except upon renewal of such permit. The person will have to meet the new training requirements, if it was previously not done. New applicants, of course, must meet the new training requirements.
For most people whose permit was issued before 12/22/21, their period is 2 years, which means it will expire before 12/22/23. This means they do not have to comply before October 1, 2023, but will have to comply for their renewal. NJ Permit to Carry a Handgun applications that were submitted before 12/22/22, were all judge-issued (unless remanded back the Chief or Superintendent for issuance), and on rare occasion, a judge may have forced someone’s permit to expire sooner or renew sooner… typically where someone is infirmed or older.
Please note that there has been rampant misinformation on this subject alleging that Permits to Carry a Handgun granted before December 22, 2022, are universally exempt. This is inaccurate.
For more information listen to Gun Lawyer Radio Episode #143-PTC Training Requirement Update which discusses this topic in detail.
Gun Lawyer Radio Episode #143-PTC Training Requirement
About Evan Nappen
Known as “America’s Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Host of the praised “Gun Lawyer” Podcast, author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, weapons history, and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades, it’s no wonder he’s become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry, and national media outlets. Called on regularly by radio, television, and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news, Evan has appeared on countless shows including Fox, CNN, Court TV, WOR-New York. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Visit www.evannappen.com for expert legal assistance.
I bet the highest ranking law enforcement officer of the state of New Jersey could not pass the qualifications nor the bodyguards for the governor could.
Having trained Military, police and civilians.
It comes down to the 90% 7% and 3%.
90% of gun owners just owning a gun is enough.
7 percent practice and train a bit more.
3 percent are the gun people who shoot and train more them most people can believe.
a friend asked why I have thousands of rounds of ammo….not even a years worth of practice.still keeping the edge..people I helped put away are getting out
Can’t stress the need to train enough, not just shooting but scenario training to help keep you from making legal mistakes. However, training is not required to exersize your unalienable rights.
If all you can afford is a cheep gun, then carry on. Special needs people deserve the right to protection just as much as anyone. I am appalled at the amount of crime perpetrated against people in wheel chairs. Looks like New Jersey couldn’t care less.
As a former gunsmith, I am fortunate to have a range on our ranch. Sixty yards from my door is 50 yard pistol range.
You lucky bastard.
I think comparing cops shooting skill to NASCAR drivers driving skill is ridiculous. I have had conversations with cops who didn’t even know what model of gun they were carrying. I’ve seen cops shoot enough times that I know how bad they are at it.
city of miami cops cant hit broadside of a milking barn from 7 yards, not sure any miami dade department is much better. the sheriff in hendry is better
I spoke with a local police officer and when I asked what model Glock she was carrying, she replied: “I don’t know. It goes bank every time i pull the trigger, though”!
as an analyst I outshot every single NCIS agent in my field office the day I got a chance to go through the qualification. They thought they were going to have fun with the analyst…stupid 1811s, they put the “special” in Special Agent.
one question, can leo’s in jersey shoot that proficiency? if not why can they carry a firearm?
You deserve the tyranny…You Allow!!!
For someone touted as “Americas Gun Lawyer” one would think the person would know the difference between an unalienable right and a Constitutional Right. Every time I hear someone say this I know I can disregard everything else they say about rights or the Constitution because they don’t understand rights or the Constitution. We DO NOT have Constitutional Rights. The Constitution grants us nothing. We have unalienable rights protected from infringement and abuse by the government. Words matter. If people hear and read it enough, it becomes the de facto law. It then becomes the argument that if it’s a… Read more »
Well said. I have been guilty of this. Thanks for the enlightenment. Perhaps “constitutionally protected right” would be more appropriate, but “unalienable right” is truly proper.
“Our democracy” comes under the same umbrella. It is our republic (if we can keep it!)
You asked: “Shouldn’t it be inalienable right rather than unalienable?”
You’ll have to argue that with Thomas Jefferson, who wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The English language has changed over the years, and “Inalienable” is preferred today. We also don’t capitalize as many words as they used to in the days of muskets and whale-oil lanterns. Fortunately, “liberty” still means what it used to…we hope.
that someone is likely to have to stand and fight to protect their god given rights…..the more things change the more they stay the same
the changes in the usage of words is what the left uses to say no guns are not a right
Careful there Patch – ya might get accused of being ‘pedantic’ by insisting on using proper terminology. Yes, I will continue to insist on calling magazines by their correct name (they ain’t ‘clips’) and you are correct regarding rights, especially when contrasting them with ‘privileges’.
Hey, my M1 Garand and my SKS still have clips that’s how I load em’.
They don’t like being left out. 🙂
Everything else has a magazine. Some are just much much bigger standard capacity magazines.
Police level shooting proficiency? The average police shooting is more like spray and pray considering the number of rounds expended vs hits.
JUST ANOTHER FORM OF HINDRANCE to INFRINGE UPON Americans’ NATURAL RIGHT OF SELF DEFENSE!!
I would LOVE to see EVERY LEO meet these standards with the EXPENSE of the equipment and ammo, etc. coming out of that individual’s pocket! NO PAYBACKS!!!
EXACTLY Laddy! I’d bet big $$$ the LEO and cops themselves could not all pass this?
Now a doughnut eating contest – that’s a different matter!
F@%K NJ! The Second Amendment is my permit! It’s my God given right! Time to remove all these weasels!
Sir, be careful with that attitude since conservatives will support the cops harming you for breaking the state laws and carrying a gun.
The statues of limitations is gone on my experience in your state with a socialist enforcer, who tried to harm me when I stopped a carjacking on myself.
The socialist cop only respected my rights when I had his gun and he soiled himself.
Not that it should be required to exercise a constitutional right. Being a police firearms instructor and having instructed many others in my 4 plus decades of doing so. Now running firearms self-defense business. Meeting ” police standards” is not very hard for and average person. Unless one has physical limitations. Any shooter should be able to do so if they have the desire and will to do so. It is hard to envision citizen self-defense scenarios justifying the use of deadly force at 25 yards Ask Elisjsha Dicken or Vic Stacy https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/one-year-later-vic-stacy-and-the-peach-house-shootout/. Up until the mid 80’s most police… Read more »
Did you read the “Proficiency Qualification (HQC2-modified)”? I shoot “Expert”, and occasionally “Master” in my club PPC matches. Most all of my points lost are at 25 yards, which is 20% of a test requiring 80% hits. While the time constraints are generous at 25 yards, at close range they border on the dangerous. And leave your 1911 at home since every few rounds you need to decock and holster. I don’t think very many police in NJ would pass this test and I don’t think the typical cop in NJ are required to, despite their laws requiring them to… Read more »
It is clear to see, at this point, that the democrat party really feels the NEED to disarm the general public.(At least EFFECTIVELY disarm, at first)
They have no intent to adhere to the Bill of Rights, or the Supreme Court.
There is only one thing that has the power to stand in the way of their Global Agenda plans for our future, it is not a piece of paper called “The Bill of Rights”, it is not the Supreme Court, IT IS AN EFFECTIVELY ARMED CITIZENRY.
(They don’t even care about criminals with illegal guns)
So Mr. Nappen has applied logic to an illogical state. Square peg in a round hole so to speak. New Jerseyians (to coin a word) need to take back their state. That would be logical.
I fully agree that citizens should neither have to pass a test, nor obtain a permit to exercise a constitutionally protected right. That said, this statement makes my skin crawl like fingernails on a chalkboard every time I see it or one similar to it: “It is hard to envision citizen self-defense scenarios justifying the use of deadly force at 25 yards!” On YouTube, I see self-styled “experts” bleat this or similar nonsense all the time. “If you shoot someone at 25 yards, you are going to be doing some serious explaining to the DA (…or Coronor…or Police)”. If someone… Read more »
NEWS FLASH – New Jersy law enforcement officers will nolonger be carrying guns . LMFAO
M454 – I wouldn’t count on that, most likely there will be some sort of exemption crafted. Remember what happened in noo yawk state after they ‘passed’ the safe act (in the dark of night as usual) – they ‘forgot’ to exempt LE from the magazine ‘restriction’. OOPS. FWIW I have qualified multiple times with pistols, rifles and shotguns in three different military branches as well as numerous LE courses. Being a disabled vet I would find it well nigh impossible to contort myself into some of noo joizee’s ‘required’ shooting positions. Good thing I ain’t ever going to be… Read more »
“Police level” shooting?
Oh I get it, 8 out of every 10 shots is a complete flyer?
“New Jersey’s new handgun permit requirements demand police-level shooting proficiency, raising questions about their necessity in civilian self-defense.”
The good news is that mose Blue State cops can’t shoot worth a damn.
I read the above article (also, the separate one from ANJRPC); I am not a NJ resident nor do I relish traveling through or visiting (relatives) NJ. The above is informative, and I expect to review documents linked above and set forth on ANJRPC website case page – these “infringements” are very likely coming to every state in the future; we all need to educate ourselves in preparation. Interesting, I did download the “Use of Force Interim Training For …” pdf linked above and want to share the first sentence: “Unlike an active duty law enforcement officer, private citizens have… Read more »
i will put money on the majority of the police in NJ failing that test