The bill amends N.J.S.2C:58-3 to require that fees collected from firearms permit applications, including those for handguns 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 the financial management of these fees and ensure they contribute to the state's budget. The bill also introduces new requirements for applicants, such as demonstrating completion of a firearms safety course within the past four years, with exemptions for law enforcement officers and veterans. It outlines criteria for permit denial based on criminal and mental health conditions and mandates that applicants provide detailed personal information.

Additionally, the bill streamlines the application process by allowing forms to be obtained online and specifying that applicants who already possess a valid firearms purchaser identification card or have been fingerprinted previously do not need to be fingerprinted again. It establishes a fee structure for permits and identification cards, clarifies that existing firearms purchaser identification cards will not expire, and allows for electronic submission of applications. The bill emphasizes that no additional conditions can be imposed beyond what is specified in the law, and it outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement in processing applications, including conducting background checks and ensuring compliance with safety and training requirements. These changes respond to a ruling by the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the allocation of firearm fees and Second Amendment rights.