Notice and Order - Amendments to Rule 1:43 to Eliminate Certain Gun Permit and Appeal Court Fees

The Supreme Court in the attached January 3, 2023 Order has amended Rule 1:43 (“Filing and Other Fees Established Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:1-7”) to conform to recent amendments to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 and -4.

In response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, 142 S.Ct. 2111 (2022), Governor Murphy on December 22, 2022 signed into law A4769, which concludes use of the “justifiable need” standard for evaluation of an application for a permit to carry a firearm. The new law amends N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 and -4 to eliminate court fees for an application for a permit to carry a handgun and for an appeal of a denial of a permit to purchase a handgun or for a firearms purchaser identification card. The amended statute also specifically provides that there is no fee for an appeal of denial of a permit to carry a handgun. The Court has amended Rule 1:43 to align with N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 and -4 by eliminating those handgun permit and appeal fees.

In response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, 142 S.Ct. 2111 (2022), Governor Murphy on December 22, 2022 signed into law A4769, which concludes use of the “justifiable need” standard for evaluation of an application for a permit to carry a firearm. The new law amends N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 and -4 to eliminate court fees for an application for a permit to carry a handgun and for an appeal of a denial of a permit to purchase a handgun or for a firearms purchaser identification card. The amended statute also specifically provides that there is no fee for an appeal of denial of a permit to carry a handgun. The Court has amended Rule 1:43 to align with N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3 and -4 by eliminating those handgun permit and appeal fees.

Questions on the gun permit and appeal process should be directed to the Criminal Practice Division at (609) 815-2900 x55300. Questions on court fees for gun permit applications and appeals should be directed to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (609) 421-6100.