Last year, New Jersey saw a dramatic increase in the number of gun carry permits issued to its citizens. This change is largely due to a recent decision from the US Supreme Court that made it harder for states to prevent their citizens from carrying firearms in public.  

If you're in legal trouble because you carried your firearm somewhere you weren't supposed to or you were involved in an incident involving your firearm, you must get immediate legal representation from the Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. Call us at 888-535-3686 or use our online contact form. 

The US Supreme Court's Landmark Decision 

In 2022, the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that required individuals to demonstrate they had a special need to obtain a concealed carry license. New Jersey had a similar law that required individuals to show a “justified need” before they could receive a concealed carry permit. 

To prove they had a justified need to carry a gun in public, someone from New Jersey had to provide evidence the gun was necessary for protection against specific threats to their life. However, because of the Supreme Court decision, New Jersey could no longer impose this requirement on gun carry permit applicants. As a result, the number of gun carry permits skyrocketed. 

The Rise in Gun Carry Permits in New Jersey 

New Jersey approved 631 carry permits in 2021, the year before the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision. In 2023, the first full year where the more relaxed gun laws were in effect, New Jersey approved 19,933 gun carry permits. The greatest number of gun carry permits came from Toms River Township in Ocean County. During the first two months of 2024, New Jersey has already approved more than 4,400 gun carry permits. 

There's disagreement as to the effect the greater number of guns in public will have on public safety. Some argue it leads to a rise in gun violence. Others disagree; contending more law-abiding citizens carrying weapons reduces violent crime. 

Find Legal Help When Charged With a Gun Crime 

Whether the rising number of approved gun carry permits will make New Jersey safer or more dangerous, there's the potential for more people to get into trouble with firearms. Even if the level of gun violence drops in the state, there are still restrictions on where members of the general public can be armed.  

This means you could find yourself facing criminal charges because you inadvertently carried a pistol somewhere you weren't allowed. There's also the potential for more serious criminal penalties if your firearm is involved in another crime, such as domestic violence. Regardless of when or how you got into legal trouble, the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can assist you. We have years of experience handling criminal matters involving firearms and know how to navigate the complexities of New Jersey's gun laws. Contact us online or by calling 888-535-3686.