A wave of gun permit applications in New York and New Jersey is drawing significant attention amid rising safety concerns and potential legislative changes.
At a Glance
- Applications for permits to carry guns have surged in New York City and New Jersey since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling.
- The NYPD received over 11,000 applications for concealed carry permits from 2022 to early March 2024.
- New Jersey received about 41,000 new applications between 2022 and June 30, 2024.
- Most people are obtaining carry licenses for self-defense and home protection.
- Both states revised their permitting laws post-2022 decision, adding new requirements and banning firearms in many places.
Surge in Gun Permit Applications
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling, New York and New Jersey have seen a notable increase in gun permit applications. The ruling invalidated a New York law requiring applicants to prove “proper cause” for self-defense, changing the landscape for gun owners. New Jersey followed suit, revising its permitting laws and opening the floodgates for a surge in applications.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) received over 11,000 applications for concealed carry permits from 2022 to early March 2024. From January 1 to March 3, 2023, the NYPD received 3,358 applications, indicating that the demand remains high. During the same period, New Jersey received about 41,000 new applications, with nearly 12,500 filed in the first six months of 2024.
In striking contrast, New Jersey only received 274 new carry permit applications in 2021. By 2024, the number soared, capturing the dramatic shift in public sentiment. Residents in both states cite self-defense and home protection as the primary reasons behind securing these permits. This is particularly significant given concerns about possible leftist riots in the upcoming election, similar to those seen in 2020.
Amid ongoing fear of crime, more than 13,300 New Yorkers applied for licenses to carry guns in the city last year, a near-double increase compared to 2022.https://t.co/s3xU1QglKN
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 27, 2024
Rigorous Background Checks and Stringent Regulations
State agencies face an immense burden to process this influx of applications while maintaining public safety standards. The NYPD and New Jersey state authorities conduct thorough background checks and follow strict regulatory protocols to ensure permits are not issued to individuals who could pose a threat. New Jersey, for instance, now publishes anonymized data on carry permits, including application numbers, approvals, denials, and demographic information.
New laws have added new requirements for gun ownership, and both states have placed restrictions on where firearms can be carried. Despite these stringent measures, New Jersey approved more than 99% of applications during the recent period. “Most people are getting the carry license just for self defense, home protection. A lot of people are not going to rely on the police for their personal safety. They’d rather be able to protect their self and their family,” said Lateif Dickerson, master instructor at the New Jersey Firearms Academy.
Additionally, New York City’s increase in applications has been financially beneficial for the NYPD. The police department is projected to earn $6.3 million in gun permit application fees this fiscal year, partly attributed to Mayor Adams’ Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG). This financial boost provides a silver lining amid the rising demand.
Public Sentiment and Safety Concerns
Despite a recent decline in major crimes, public sentiment reflects ongoing concern. A poll from the Manhattan Institute shows that 62% of likely city voters feel the city is less safe compared to 2020. The NYPD’s data shows that major felonies are still up 39.3% compared to 2019, although they have reduced slightly compared to 2022.
“New York and New Jersey had stringent standards for handgun carry permits before the Supreme Court ruling,” said Dickerson. “Just because people get the carry license, doesn’t mean that they’ll be carrying the firearm. But they like to have it.” The surge in applications underscores a growing desire among citizens to take their safety into their own hands in an increasingly uncertain social environment.
Another revelation comes from a Daily News analysis that New York City has also financially benefited from the permit surge. “NEW YORK — Amid ongoing fear of crime, more than 13,300 New Yorkers applied for licenses to carry guns in the city last year, a near-double increase compared to 2022 — and the New York City Police Department’s financial bottom line has been boosted by the permit surge, according to a Daily News analysis.”
