2C:58-1. Registration of manufacturers and wholesale dealers of firearms

a. Registration. Every manufacturer and wholesale dealer of firearms shall register with the superintendent as provided in this section. No person shall engage in the business of, or act as a manufacturer or wholesale dealer of firearms, or manufacture or sell at wholesale any firearm, until he has so registered.

Applications for registration shall be made on such forms as shall be prescribed by the superintendent, and the applicant shall furnish such information and other particulars as may be prescribed by law or by any rules or regulations promulgated by the superintendent. Each application for registration or renewal shall be accompanied by a fee of $150.00.

The superintendent shall prescribe standards and qualifications for the registration of manufacturers and wholesalers of firearms, for the protection of the public safety, health and welfare. He shall refuse to register any applicant for registration unless he is satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to engage in business as a manufacturer or wholesale dealer of firearms without any danger to the public safety, health or welfare.

The superintendent shall issue a certificate of registration to every person registered under this section, and such certificate shall be valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance.

b. Wholesale dealer's agent. Every registered wholesale dealer of firearms shall cause each of his agents or employees actively engaged in the purchase or sale of firearms to be licensed with the superintendent as a wholesale dealer's agent. Applications for agents' licenses shall be submitted on such forms as shall be prescribed by the superintendent, and shall be signed by the registered wholesale dealer and by the agent. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of $5.00, and each license shall be valid for so long as the agent or employee remains in the employ of the wholesale dealer and the wholesale dealer remains validly registered under this section. The superintendent shall prescribe standards and qualifications for licensed wholesale dealers' agents, for the protection of the public safety, health and welfare.

c. Revocation of certificate of registration or license. The superintendent may, after reasonable notice to all affected parties and a hearing if requested, revoke any certificate of registration or agent's license if he finds that the registered or licensed person is no longer engaged in the business of manufacturing or wholesaling firearms in this State or that he can no longer be permitted to carry on such business without endangering the public safety, health or welfare. A certificate or license may be canceled at any time at the request of the registered or licensed person.

d. Appeals. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the superintendent to register him as a manufacturer or wholesale dealer or a wholesale dealer's agent, or by revocation of his certificate or license, may appeal to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.

e. Records of sales. Every manufacturer and wholesale dealer shall keep a detailed record of each firearm sold by him. The record shall include the date of sale, the name and address of the purchaser, a description of each firearm and the serial number thereof. The records shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by any law enforcement officer.

L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:58-1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979.