On December 22, 2022, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that limits where guns can be carried throughout the state and tightens the application process for receiving a concealed carry permit. The law is known as A4769 (22R) and is being implemented in response to the United States Supreme Court’s summer ruling that expanded gun-carry rights. It is among the nation’s most stringent gun carry rules.

Support for the Law: The bill signing event was attended by gun control advocates, including the group Moms Demand Action, who support the new law. Governor Murphy stated that the law is necessary to prevent gun violence and ensure the safety of citizens, stating, “What kind of state do we want to be? Do we want to be like Mississippi or Alabama, whose firearm death rates are nearly five times ours, or do we want to remain a state where people can actually be and feel safe?”

Legal Challenges: The new law is facing a federal court challenge from gun rights groups seeking to overturn it. The executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs stated, “Not only will this legislation go down in flames in our lawsuit, but the Murphy administration will end up paying the very substantial legal costs of gun owners to bring it down.” Governor Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin have both stated that they are prepared to defend the law’s constitutionality in court.

Details of the Law: The new law has 25 broad “sensitive places” where carrying guns would be illegal, including government buildings, public transportation, and day care centers. It also extends to any private property where the owner does not give permission to carry guns. Violations of the law would be considered a third degree crime. In addition to these restrictions, the law tightens the requirements for obtaining a carry permit, requiring rigorous training and increasing the application fee from $2 to $25. It also requires those who want to carry guns to purchase liability insurance.