ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4370

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 22, 2022

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4370.

      This bill requires certain applicants for a permit to purchase a handgun (PPH) or a firearms purchaser identification card (FPIC) to demonstrate that, within four years prior to the date of the application, the applicant satisfactorily completed a course of instruction approved by the Superintendent of State Police in the lawful and safe handling and storage of firearms. 

      An applicant for a PPH or an FPIC is required to demonstrate compliance with this bill only once prior to obtaining either a PPH or an FPIC.  An applicant for a PPH is required to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this bill prior to obtaining the applicant’s first PPH, but only if the applicant has not already demonstrated compliance prior to receiving an FPIC; an applicant is not required to demonstrate compliance in order to obtain any subsequent PPHs.  In addition, an applicant for an FPIC is not required to demonstrate compliance in order to replace an existing FPIC or to renew an FPIC. 

      A person who obtained a PPH or an FPIC prior to the bill’s effective date would not be required to complete a course of instruction. 

      The provisions of this bill are not applicable to an active or retired law enforcement officer or a veteran who was honorably discharged as a member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard and who received substantially equivalent training. 

      In addition, the bill provides that a firearms purchaser identification card issued or renewed after the bill’s effective date would expire during the fourth calendar year following its date of issuance and on the same calendar day as the card holder’s date of birth.  The holder of a firearms purchaser identification card issued prior to the bill’s effective date would expire within four years of the bill’s enactment and on the same calendar day as the card holder’s date of birth.  The bill further provides that a firearms purchaser identification card may be renewed if the holder is not subject to any of the statutory disabilities and after filing of a renewal application and payment of the required fee. 

      Under current law, a firearms purchaser identification card is valid indefinitely, unless the holder becomes subject to any of the disabilities that disqualify a person for firearms ownership.