Firearms Application

New Online Application System

The Clinton Township Police strongly urges all residents to utilize the Online Application Process through the FARS website.

Instructions for obtaining a Firearms ID card or Permit to Purchase a Handgun.

  1. Clinton Township Police Department’s ORI number is NJ0100600

    Please write this number down before clicking on the link to the online application.

  2. Complete your application on-line at njportal.com

**If an incorrect ORI number is entered on the form, you will NOT receive a firearms ID card or a permit to purchase a handgun. You will then have to re-apply using the correct ORI number and pay for the process again. A refund will NOT be issued.

  • You may utilize either a smartphone, mobile device or computer to complete the process. Once your application is completed the Clinton Township Police Department will be notified and a background check will be conducted.
  • Application fee: $21.00 (For duplicate card and/or handgun permits)
  • Initial Firearms Identification Card: $50.00
  • Permit(s) to Purchase a Handgun: $25.00 for each permit
  • Change of Address, Change of Name, Lost or Stolen ID card: No Fee
  • Cash, a personal check or money order (payable to: Clinton Township) is needed. Credit Cards will NOT be accepted. Payments will be submitted prior to approval of application.

** A Firearms ID card does not expire though it must be replaced if you change your address, name or the ID card is lost/stolen or mutilated. Permit(s) to Purchase a Handgun are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If necessary, a 90-day extension is available by physically submitting the permit(s) to police headquarters.

** You will be receiving automated email updates throughout the background process.

** Once your application is completed, a representative from the Clinton Township Police Department will contact you to come to Police Headquarters to pay your fees.

** Please advise your references that the FARS system will email them the reference questions to be answered. Please advise them to complete the questions immediately to expedite your background application.

** Please ensure that both yourself and your references provide the correct information on the application. If a mistake is made, the application will no longer be able to be processed which you, the applicant, will have to resubmit the firearms application and again pay the required $21.00.

** If you have not been contacted by a representative from the Clinton Township Police Department then your application is still in progress. An applicant DOES NOT need to contact the police department for any updates. If there are any questions or concerns regarding an applicant’s application, a representative will contact the applicant.

For questions, regarding Firearms, contact:
Julia Yotcoski
Firearms Secretary
(908) 735-6000 ext. 227
jyotcoski@ctpd.org

Applying for a permit to carry a handgun

(The following instructions are the same for the initial and renewal application)

YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE AT: https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/ConcealedCarry/

  1. Driver’s License and Birth Certificate OR Driver’s License and Passport OR Driver’s License and Naturalization Paperwork/Green Card
  2. One (1) State of New Jersey Applications For Permit To Carry A Handgun, form SP642. Must be double sided and notarized.
  3. Two (2) color passport size photographs.
  4. Consent for Mental Health Search, form SP066.
  5. Submit proof of qualification with a certified firearms instructor along with firearms instructor proof of certification.
  6. A money order in the amount of $50.00 payable to the State of New Jersey – Treasurer must accompany this application when submitted to a municipality along with an additional $150.00 fee paid directly to the municipality.
  7. ** ALL APPLICANTS (INITIAL AND RENEWAL) FOR PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN MUST BE FINGERPRINTED.
    ** A NEW JERSEY PERMIT TO CARRY IS VALID FOR TWO (2) YEARS FROM TIME OF APPROVAL.

For questions, regarding Firearms, contact:
Julia Yotcoski
Firearms Secretary
(908) 735-6000 ext. 227
jyotcoski@ctpd.org

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES TO CONCEALED CARRY LAW (SEPTEMBER 2023)

State of New Jersey

PHILIP D. MURPHY OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Governor DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
TAHESHA L. WAY PO BOX 080
Lt. Governor TRENTON, NJ 08625-0080

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: All Law Enforcement and NJ Certified Firearms Instructors
FROM: Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin & Colonel Patrick J. Callahan
RE: Civilian Carry Assessment and Range Evaluation (CCARE) Protocol
DATE: September 15, 2023

MATTHEW J. PLATKIN

Attorney General

PATRICK J. CALLAHAN

Colonel

As law enforcement, we are responsible for the safety of all of those who live in New Jersey. And that
includes providing meaningful training to those who choose to apply for a permit to carry a handgun. Carrying a
weapon that can take the life of another comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. It is our duty to ensure
that those who choose to carry are equipped with the knowledge and training necessary to safely carry a firearm.

Today, we are announcing the new Civilian Carry Assessment and Range Evaluation (CCARE) protocol.
This live-range training replaces the Permit to Carry Safe Handling and Proficiency Qualification protocol (HQC2modified)
issued on July 21, 2023, and is the required range component pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(g).

All certified firearms instructors in NJ shall now instruct on the CCARE protocol.

As for individuals who completed firearms training prior to July 1, 2023, and whose permit to carry does not
expire until after December 22, 2023, they must requalify on the CCARE protocol or the HQC2-modified protocol
issued on July 21, 2023. An individual who completed a course of fire prior to the issuance of the CCARE Protocol
is deemed to have satisfied N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(g)(2) if and only if the prior course included each of the following:


A minimum of 50 scored rounds per participant.

Minimum passage score of 80% using an FBI type Q target.

At least 10 rounds must be from the 15, 10, 7, 5, and 3 yard lines each, or if fewer rounds were fired
from those distances, the remaining rounds must have been fired from greater distances.

The participant must demonstrate safe holstering and unholstering during the shooting course, which
must include safely drawing the weapon from a secured holster before firing at each of the required
distances and reholstering after completing the round.

The participant must demonstrate proficient and safe reloading during the shooting course.
No substantially similar courses completed after the CCARE Protocol is issued will be accepted.

In order to assist in ensuring all permit holders have taken the appropriate live-range component and are in
compliance with the law, law enforcement chiefs responsible for reviewing and issuing permits to carry shall

New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on Recycled Paper and Recyclable

immediately post this memorandum and the CCARE protocol to their agency websites. The New Jersey State Police
Firearms Investigation Unit shall also post the documents to its website.

Further, given that the HQC2 interim training was issued on July 21, and the CCARE protocol is being implemented
today, September 15, 2023, law enforcement shall provide individuals who need to requalify until December
31, 2023 to complete the requisite training to comply with the law. Failure to requalify under N.J.S.A. 2C:584(
g) by December 31, 2023 will render the applicable individual’s permit-to-carry invalid. Instructors should
also inform their applicants to send a copy of their completed certification to the police agency with which the
application was filed to be included in the agency’s file.

CIVILIAN CARRY ASSESSMENT AND RANGE EVALUATION (CCARE)

This Civilian Carry Assessment and Range Evaluation (CCARE) protocol replaces the
Permit to Carry Safe Handling and Proficiency Qualification protocol (HQC2-modified)
issued on July 21, 2023. An individual who has satisfied the HQC2-modified protocol is
deemed to have met the requirements of the CCARE protocol for purposes of complying
with N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(g)(2).

1. Familiarization Requirements for Each Participant
a. Demonstrate the safe handling of weapon.
b. Demonstrate proper loading and unloading techniques.
c. Demonstrate the techniques of a proper concealed carry draw.
d. Demonstrate the techniques of good marksmanship.
2.Range– 15 yards.
3.Target– FBI type Q target, either paper or cardboard. Multiple targets may be
used at the discretion of the supervising firearms instructor.
4. Course
a. Total of 50 rounds per participant.
b. Double action is required for revolvers for all phases. Semiautomatics
are to be fired in the manner in which the individual
weapon functions normally and are to be decocked, if applicable,
when changing positions or hands.
c. Reloading may take place as needed under the supervision of the
firearms instructor to accomplish the course.
d. To achieve a passing score of 80%, the participant must place a
minimum of 40 shots within the border of the Q target silhouette during
the untimed course of fire. The participant must also demonstrate safe
handling throughout, including safe loading, unloading, drawing, and re-
holstering.
e. The participant must perform the following strings of fire from each of
the following distances: 3 yards, 5 yards, 7 yards, 10 yards, and 15
yards:

i. On command, from a secured and concealed holster position,
draw and fire 5 rounds. Holster a safe, decocked, if applicable,
weapon.
ii. Repeat the string of fire twice, firing a total of 10 rounds.
iii. Reload if required and holster a safe, decocked, if applicable,
weapon.
iv. At the end of the course of fire, clear all weapons, and holster a safe
and empty weapon.
5. Substantially Equivalent Courses. An individual who completed a course of
fire prior to the issuance of the CCARE Protocol is deemed to have satisfied
N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4(g)(2) if and only if the prior course include each of the
following:
a. A minimum of 50 scored rounds per participant.
b. Minimum passage score of 80% using an FBI type Q target.
c. At least 10 rounds must be from the 15, 10, 7, 5, and 3 yard lines each. If
fewer than 10 rounds were fired from those distances, the remaining
rounds must have been fired from farther distances.
d. The participant must demonstrate safe holstering and unholstering during
the shooting course, which must include safely drawing the weapon from
a secured holster before firing at each of the required distances and re-
holstering after completing the round.
e. The participant must demonstrate proficient and safe reloading during the
shooting course.
No substantially similar courses completed after the CCARE Protocol is
issued will be accepted.