Major Surge in Gun Permits Amid Supreme Court Ruling

Tattoo seen at Second Amendment March

Englishtown, New Jersey, has approved a resolution to refund the $150 municipal portion of its $200 handgun permit-to-carry fee. The move, backed by groups including CCRKBA, NJFOS, and NRA-ILA, aims to ease what critics call punitive costs and promote broader access to Second Amendment rights. The resolution is intended to encourage similar actions by other municipalities.

Kenneth Rively at pro-gun rights rally

Since the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision affirming the right to carry firearms without proof of need, New Jersey has seen nearly 77,000 carry permit applications. The surge has heightened procedural concerns and intensified demands for equitable practices.

Glenn Anderson carrying American flag on July 4

CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb stated, "A lot of revolutionary ideas get drawn on cocktail napkins, but it wasn’t until after we saw how successful this project was in Englishtown that we knew we were onto something big."

Activists at anti-gun-control rally in Nashville

Gottlieb added, "Partnering with NRA-ILA and NJFOS is a no-brainer. We’re working to get these unconstitutional fees refunded back to as many applicants as possible. These fees are exorbitant and fly in the face of Bruen."

Winning District 24 ticket at convention

Rep. Dawn Fantasia (R-NJ) has introduced a bill mandating police departments to report monthly on reasons for firearm permit denials. Aimed at increasing transparency, the legislation responds to concerns about racial bias, citing data showing higher denial rates among minority applicants.

Commissioners at candidate forum

Joe LoPorto, NJFOS Director of Legal Operations, asserted that prohibitive fees infringe on constitutional rights and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. LoPorto claims that restrictive fees deter vulnerable populations from exercising their rights.

American Flag over the water at Festival

LoPorto said, "Our coalition here reflects how serious and important this issue is." He added, "Putting core constitutional rights behind prohibitively high fees is a regrettable and discriminatory strategy that states like New Jersey have employed in the wake of Bruen. This strategy harms the poor and the vulnerable."

Joel Fulton addressing Second Amendment advocates

The legislation mandates municipalities to report the age, race, gender identity, and ethnicity of denied applicants to mitigate discriminatory practices. Englishtown's resolution seeks to inspire other municipalities to adopt similar measures enhancing access to Second Amendment rights.

Sarah Bennett covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.