NRA Supports Challenge of New Jersey’s Restrictive Concealed Carry Permit System

Fairfax, Va. — The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today announced support for an important Second Amendment lawsuit filed today by the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC). The lawsuit challenges New Jersey’s restrictive “may-issue” system for issuing concealed carry permits. That system makes it all but impossible for law-abiding gun owners to receive a permit, which is required to lawfully carry a handgun in the Garden State.

“New Jersey’s draconian restrictions on carry permits effectively eliminate the constitutional right to keep and bear arms outside the home,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA. “Today’s lawsuit is an important step toward ensuring that law-abiding citizens have the full ability to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

“We thank the NRA for its support and guidance, which made this lawsuit possible,” said ANJRPC Executive Director Scott Bach.

In 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the District’s “may-issue” carry permit system, in the NRA-supported case Grace v. District of Columbia. The court found that “the individual right to carry common firearms beyond the home for self-defense — even in densely populated areas, even for those lacking special self-defense needs — falls within the core of the Second Amendment’s protections.” Rather than appeal the case to the Supreme Court and risk invalidating “may-issue” laws across the country, the District began issuing permits to all law-abiding applicants regardless of whether they can demonstrate a special need to carry a firearm. New Jersey’s system is essentially similar to the system struck down in Grace.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.