The bill amends N.J.S.2C:58-3 to require that fees collected from firearms permit applications, including those for handgun purchases and firearms purchaser identification cards, be deposited into the General Fund rather than the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) account. This change aims to enhance financial management of these fees and includes a new fee structure where the $25 fee for a handgun permit, the $50 fee for a firearms purchaser identification card, and the $200 fee for a permit to carry a handgun will be directed to the State Treasury. The bill also introduces new provisions requiring applicants to complete a firearms safety course within four years prior to applying, with exemptions for certain individuals like law enforcement officers and veterans.

Additionally, the bill outlines disqualifications for obtaining permits, such as felony convictions, restraining orders, and mental health issues, while clarifying conditions for permit denial, including being a fugitive from justice or having a history of domestic violence. It streamlines the application process by allowing forms to be obtained online and specifies that applicants with existing valid permits may not need to be fingerprinted again. The bill also establishes a registration requirement for new residents bringing handguns into the state and emphasizes that no additional conditions can be imposed beyond those specified in the law. The changes are a response to a ruling by the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Second Amendment rights and are set to take effect immediately upon enactment.