New Jersey Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

What does New Jersey law require during a handgun purchase transfer between private parties?

1. Background check through a licensed dealer

2. Notarized bill of sale

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

The correct answer is: Background check through a licensed dealer

In New Jersey, when a handgun purchase is transferred between private parties, the law mandates conducting a background check through a licensed dealer. This requirement is in place to ensure that the buyer is legally eligible to possess a firearm, which means checking for any prohibiting factors such as criminal history or mental health issues. This means that even if the transaction is between private individuals, a licensed dealer must be involved to facilitate the background check as part of the transfer process. The notarized bill of sale, while it may serve to document the transaction between the private parties, is not a statutory requirement in New Jersey for the transfer of handguns. Therefore, while it might be a good practice to have a bill of sale for personal records and future reference, it does not replace the necessity of the background check mandated by law. Thus, recognizing the requirement for a background check is critical for compliance with New Jersey's gun transfer laws.