Is it possible to get a gun permit with a DWI on my record?

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Ian0522

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Hello everyone, my name is Ian and I am a new jersey resident. Lately I have been interested in applying for a nj permit to purchase, and buying a firearm for sporting purposes. I have a clean criminal record with the exception of a DWI about 3 years ago. It was a stupid mistake that I have learned and moved on from.

I was wondering if the DWI would be considered grounds for denial of my application? I realize that the answer might be different depending on the state and its laws. Here in new jersey, DWI currently isnt considered a misdemeanor or felony, but rather falls under the catagory of a traffic (motor vehicle) offense. Id rather not waste the time and money on the application procedure if it will be a guaranteed denial.

I would appreiciate any info on the matter...
 
I am not familiar with NJ's laws, but I would think that it being only a traffic offense, it would not disqualify you. Unless you were known to be habitually drunk (from your brief self-description, it doesn't seem so- sometimes sheriffs can veto applications for such things if they know you have behavior issues), I would think it would be simple.

You can ask at a gun store (they might know, but at the same time, info received in such a place tends to be patchy at best) or (even better) consult a lawyer.
 
Is the NJ license the type that has to be signed by your local sheriff? If so, give them a call or stop by. If they are the ones signning it they will be able to give you the best answer.
 
I am not aware of any law that prohibits a person with a DUI conviction from owning/buying/selling/carrying a firearm.
 
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Hmm...I just assumed that it might have been an automatic DQ. Now that I know that I still have a chance, I guess applying is worth a try.

Thanks for the info
 
Wow, am I going to be the first to say it? :what:

I didn't think it was possible to get a CCW permit in NJ whether or not you have a DWI on your record! :neener:
 
You might keep up with this topic until somebody familiar with NJ laws has an answer for you. I know here in Texas they'll sure take your license from you for a DUI whether you have the gun on you or not at the time of the offense.
Simply issue a bad check here, and they'll take your license away from you!
I don't imagine NJ would be any easier.

Here, you can be reapply for the license with a DUI on your record, but there is a certain amount of time that must first pass. I doubt it would be as soon as 3 years. Seems like I remember hearing 5 or 6 years here being the magic number.

EDIT: YEA, HYPNOGATOR....I was wondering about that myself! I was good enough in NYC for a pistol permit, but not good enough to be allowed to carry. I think NJ is worse then NYC.
 
permit to carry or permit for home?

Anyway my brother knows a nj cop who got his job 5 yrs after his dui

so they shouldn't have to much other then regular jersey excrement to go through.
 
I wasnt planning on applying for concealed carry (which I think is damn near impossible in NJ), or even purchasing a handgun for that matter. I am only interested in something like a .22 rifle for sport shooting. But I think im going to apply sometime in the next few weeks, and ill try to update this thread with the results.

Thank you again gentlemen.
 
ANJRPC (the NJ state NRA organization) runs a legal service for its members. Best advice I can give is to join and use it.

If you want to wade through the legalese, here's the excerpt from good ol' NJ statute 2C:58-3 Purchase of firearms:

Applications. Applications for permits to purchase a handgun and for firearms purchaser identification cards shall be in the form prescribed by the superintendent and shall set forth the name, residence, place of business, age, date of birth, occupation, sex and physical description, including distinguishing physical characteristics, if any, of the applicant, and shall state whether the applicant is a citizen, whether he is an alcoholic, habitual drunkard, drug dependent person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-2), whether he has ever been confined or committed to a mental institution or hospital for treatment or observation of a mental or psychiatric condition on a temporary, interim or permanent basis, giving the name and location of the institution or hospital and the dates of such confinement or commitment, whether he has been attended, treated or observed by any doctor or psychiatrist or at any hospital or mental institution on an inpatient or outpatient basis for any mental or psychiatric condition, giving the name and location of the doctor, psychiatrist, hospital or institution and the dates of such occurrence, whether he presently or ever has been a member of any organization which advocates or approves the commission of acts of force and violence to overthrow the Government of the United States or of this State, or which seeks to deny others their rights under the Constitution of either the United States or the State of New Jersey, whether he has ever been convicted of a crime or disorderly persons offense, whether the person is subject to a restraining order issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et. seq.) prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm, and such other information as the superintendent shall deem necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter. For the purpose of complying with this subsection, the applicant shall waive any statutory or other right of confidentiality relating to institutional confinement. The application shall be signed by the applicant and shall contain as references the names and addresses of two reputable citizens personally acquainted with him.

Application blanks shall be obtainable from the superintendent, from any other officer authorized to grant such permit or identification card, and from licensed retail dealers.

The chief police officer or the superintendent shall obtain the fingerprints of the applicant and shall have them compared with any and all records of fingerprints in the municipality and county in which the applicant resides and also the records of the State Bureau of Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, provided that an applicant for a handgun purchase permit who possesses a valid firearms purchaser identification card, or who has previously obtained a handgun purchase permit from the same licensing authority for which he was previously fingerprinted, and who provides other reasonably satisfactory proof of his identity, need not be fingerprinted again; however, the chief police officer or the superintendent shall proceed to investigate the application to determine whether or not the applicant has become subject to any of the disabilities set forth in this chapter.
Doesn't look offhand like DUI disqualifies you, but knowing how the STASI operate, it won't help.

Also see the URL in my .sig for moral support.

- NF
 
The answer is ...... maybe.

It's up to the local chief of police. He has the power to disapprove your application.

The NJ legislature has granted the local authorities broad power in this area. Some people have taken the firearms rejection to the State Supreme Court but the court ruled that the local law enforcement agency probably knew better than others the character of the applicant.

You could be rejected and they don't even have to tell you the reason (that rarely happens).

That said, apply for the purchase permit. Be above reproach in your application. Do not try to hide the DWI. You may be called in by the chief for an interview. Make a good impression and be absolutely truthful.

Good luck.
 
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