No. of Hunters in Delaware Continue to Decline

Outdoor Delaware is the award-winning online magazine of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Articles and multimedia content are produced by the DNREC Office of Communications.

Since the state began tracking the number of hunting licenses sold in 1972, the total number of hunters in Delaware reached a peak in 1975, at around 30,000. That number began to steadily decline a decade later and has remained static at approximately 20,000 annually for the past two decades before dropping to 15,399 in 2024.

The decline in hunting isn’t unique to Delaware but is part of a national trend that can be attributed to older hunters becoming unable to take part and younger generations being less likely to take up the activity.

Fewer people grow up hunting these days, and absent that formative childhood experience, they’re less likely to hunt as adults. People moving to Delaware from nearby states often come from urban areas and as a result don’t have a background in hunting. That all contributes to fewer people hunting today.

Fifty years ago, roughly 5% of the state’s population hunted, according to license data maintained by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Today, that figure is more like 2%.

Three men and two children pose for a photo in hunting gear with two geese they shot. — Pat Emory, director of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (right), with his father, son and grandsons on a recent trip. (Delaware DNREC)

But that doesn’t mean hunting’s importance has diminished for those who do take part. Hunting is a major way of connecting with nature, spending time with friends and family and managing wildlife and promoting conservation. Whether you prefer to hunt alone or with others, it represents a chance to immerse yourself in nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

For those of us that are practitioners of the art of hunting, there are few things better than being in a deer stand or duck blind, anticipating the opportunity of a deer coming within range or ducks with wings set coming into your decoys.

For many, this is deeply relaxing and represents a chance to function as our ancestors did. Humans have hunted animals for millennia; it’s one of the oldest activities that survives today. Even though much of the technology has changed, many of the same basic principles apply today as they did thousands of years ago.

Hunting gives people the opportunity to appreciate the great taste of wild game and fowl, and many find it extremely rewarding to bring home a deer or other game they have taken themselves. In an age where locally sourced, organic foods are in vogue, is there anything better than the bounty Mother Nature has to offer?

Hunting is a way of testing oneself, improving your own skill through hours of patience and repetition. It also plays a major role in controlling wildlife populations like deer and snow geese in Delaware. Without hunting, these species would adversely impact both farming and our environment.

Hunters pay for the privilege, with Delaware bringing in money from federal excise taxes on guns and ammunition as well as state fees for hunting licenses. That’s millions of dollars that funds research, management and habitat improvements for wildlife management — and not only for game species. Money from hunting fees allows the state to acquire habitat and conduct research on raptors, shorebirds and other species, as well as educate new hunters.

In short, hunting is part of our heritage, and despite declining numbers, it remains an important way of life for many in our state. The emotional connection hunters develop with nature cannot be overstated and is one of the key factors keeping people coming back to hunting year after year.

If you haven’t hunted before or want to rekindle that passion again, contact a family member or friend that hunts or a local gun club to get you started. Delaware, through the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, provides numerous opportunities for you to hunt or just enjoy the outdoors on more than 68,000 acres of public lands throughout the state. Take the time to experience nature at its best and enjoy the beauty and hunting traditions that Delaware has to offer.

The fourth Saturday in September marks National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual event that serves to engage Americans in the great outdoors. In 2025, that is Sept. 27. What are you waiting for?

Pat Emory is the director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Related Topics: animals, conservation, fish and wildlife, fishing, hunting, op-ed

CNB Fishing News: Maryland

October 8

Cayla Beam found tranquility and a Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) on the Transquaking River recently. Photo courtesy of Cayla Beam

October presents a wonderful opportunity to spend some time fishing in the comfort of mild temperatures and the beautiful settings of fall foliage and peaceful waters.

Forecast Summary: October 8 – 14:

Expect partly cloudy weather and relatively stable conditions for fishing in Chesapeake Bay waters all week. There is a chance of rain Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. As reported by the NOAA buoys, main Bay surface water temperatures are currently in the low 70s but continue to slowly cool. River temperatures are slightly cooler in the mid 60s.

Salinities are above normal for most Maryland waters this time of year. Oxygen conditions throughout the main Bay are much improved and suitable to the bottom in most places.

Expect average water clarity for Maryland’s streams, rivers, and main Bay waters. To see the latest water clarity conditions on NOAA satellite maps, check Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps. There will be above average tidal currents through Saturday as a result of the full moon on October 7.

Continue reading →

CNB Fishing News: Angler Sets New Maryland Record for Longfin Albacore

October 6, 2025

The 78-pound fish was landed off Ocean City

Man on a dock next to a large fish

Marc Spagnola of Berlin is the new state record holder for longfin albacore. Photo courtesy of Marc Spagnola.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Marc Spagnola of Berlin, Worcester County, as the new state record holder for longfin albacore (Thunnus alalunga) for the Atlantic Division. Spagnola’s 78-pound catch surpasses the previous record set in 2004 by four pounds.

Continue reading →

Statewide archery season starts Saturday

Pennsylvania’s statewide deer archery season opens this Saturday, October 4 and runs through November 21 — including seven of the approved Sundays for the 2025-26 season — then reopens from December 26-January 19. Hunters are reminded to tag and report their harvest within 10 days by phone, by mail, or online.

REVIEW SEASONS & BAG LIMITS

New Brunswick Police Halt Gun Permits! But Reverse Decision After Visit from NJ2AS

SOURCE

New Jersey Second Amendment Society

New Brunswick, NJ

–The city of New Brunswick, NJ, halted the ability for residents to apply for a firearm permit claiming the fingerprinting company was closed. We stopped by the police department to investigate and quickly discovered the lies.

CRIME

HUNTING AND FISHING

March 18 Maryland Fishing Report : Despite the Chinese Virus You Can Still Go Fishing

By Keith Lockwood

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

“No life is so happy and so pleasant as the life of the well-govern’d angler.“–Izaak Walton

Michael Novak Jr. caught this beautiful crappie recently while fishing with his dad. Photo by Michael Novak

We face extraordinary times and everyone must make decisions regarding the safety of ourselves and those we love. Given Maryland’s current State of Emergency, the

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

has made adjustments as well.

After careful consideration, the department decided to suspend spring trout stocking to protect the health and safety of our state employees and also the public and angling community. We need to avoid a situation that encourages anglers to gather near stocked locations. The department may also cancel or postpone fishing-related events this spring, including youth fishing rodeos and fishing tournaments due to the Executive Order prohibiting gatherings of 50 people or more.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t go fishing. In fact, the department has already stocked 82,700 brown, golden, and rainbow trout across the state. While it is unknown at this time when trout stocking will resume, we do encourage anglers to safely take advantage of incredible fishing opportunities Maryland has to offer.

For those looking for ways to occupy children stuck at home, consider a peaceful fishing adventure — obviously taking care to keep your proper social distance from others and avoid unnecessary exposure.

Please keep an eye on the department’s website and social media for updates, and we will resume regular operations once we are safely able.

Be safe, be responsible, be kind to each other, and we will get through these trying times together.

Forecast Summary: March 18-24:

Friday is the first day of Spring and signs are everywhere. Blooming daffodils, forsythia bushes and pear trees are all indicators that Chesapeake Bay water temperatures are on the rise.

Bay mainstem surface waters

and rivers have risen to the upper 40s and will continue to rise through the next week. Warmest waters continue to be found in the bottom quarter of the water column near the Virginia state line. However, smaller, dark-bottom streams and downwind areas on a sunny day will warm faster, often holding water temperatures in the low to mid-50s.

These typical March conditions will continue to warm Maryland waters for gamefish such as white perch preparing to spawn in the next several weeks. They will spawn in the lower salinity waters — up to 4 ppt — when water temperatures are between 50 degrees and 60 degrees. In addition, shad will continue to make their way up the bay towards their spawning areas in many of the larger rivers. The first hickory shad are now present on the Potomac River at Fletcher’s Boathouse in D.C., with water temperatures now at 55 degrees. In addition

, in the main bay, there are still slightly warmer bottom waters

so anglers may want to scan these areas for other gamefish.

The Maryland portion of the bay continues to have

suitable oxygen conditions

from surface to bottom.

Bay surface salinities are normal for this time of year.

Expect reduced water clarity in the upper bay from the Aberdeen and Sassafras rivers to Swan Point, and on the Potomac River downstream to near the Route 301 Bridge.

Expect normal flows to the rivers and streams entering Maryland’s portion of the Bay.

There will be above average

tidal currents

conditions from Friday through Tuesday as a result of the new moon March 24.

For more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the bay, be sure to check out Eyes on the Bay’s

Click Before You Cast.

Get regular updates on Maryland’s waters sent to your inbox with our Eyes on the Bay newsletter.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

Photo courtesy of Zeljko Koretic

There is plenty of fun fishing action at the Conowingo Dam pool for a mix of large flathead and blue catfish. The releases from the dam have been minimal recently due to the lack of rainfall in the Susquehanna watershed. Anglers are wearing waders to get closer to the dam pool and casting cut bait and heavy swimshads with stout spinning tackle. Early in the morning, there has also been some catch-and-release action with striped bass on topwater lures.

A little farther downriver there is a mix of small to medium-sized flathead catfish, along with channel catfish and blue catfish. Most anglers fishing for them are using fresh cut bait on a bottom rig in some of the deeper holes between the I-95 Bridge and the Railroad Bridge.

Yellow perch are still being caught near the Perryville area and the Northeast River. The action has subsided quite a bit but there are still pre-spawn and post-spawn yellow perch being caught. The most popular way to fish for them has been using live minnows fished near the bottom in the more open waters. White perch will be arriving on the scene soon, as water temperatures are about 47 degrees and rising. When the water temperatures climb to the mid-50s, the white perch will move into the area.

There is still some yellow perch action in the upper Bush and Magothy rivers on the western side of the bay, but it is falling off quickly. Those who are fishing with pieces of bloodworm and grass shrimp are catching the first white perch entering the river systems. The upper Chester River is seeing the same situation with post-spawn yellow perch leaving and pre-spawn white perch arriving.

Water temperatures in the upper bay are holding around the mid-40s, still a little chilly for school-sized striped bass. There has been a little catch-and-release action with striped bass near the Bay Bridge and Scott Key Bridge piers. Most are jigging near the pier bases. Striped bass regulations for the Spring Trophy Season can be viewed

online

Middle Bay

Scott Green holds up a big Blue Catfish he caught recently in the Nanticoke River on cut white perch. Photo courtesy of Scott Green

The upper Choptank and Tuckahoe rivers have been receiving a lot of attention from anglers pursuing yellow perch. Those spawning runs are just about over now, but there are opportunities to catch yellow perch as they descend the rivers headed away from the spawning areas. Small minnows lip-hooked to a small shad dart or on a simple bottom rig work very well for these fish as they move through the channels.

Fish with grass shrimp on a shad dart or bottom rig and you very well may catch some white perch and enjoy a little catch-and-release action with river herring and hickory shad. They are moving up the Choptank and Tuckahoe and can be found above Denton to the Greensboro area, and may reach the Red Bridges area by the weekend as the weather forecast calls for some very warm temperatures. A bottom rig baited with pieces of bloodworm is a popular way to fish for them, when taking it easy with a good seat and forked stick along a riverbank or leisurely fishing out of a small boat.

Fishing for northern snakeheads is shifting into high gear this week as balmy and sunny days warm up area waters, enticing them to be more active. Casting white or other color swimbaits is a proven tactic this time of the year, and chatterbaits are working well also. Fishing a large minnow trailing behind a popping cork or bobber is perhaps the most tried-and-true method before grass beds appear and the northern snakeheads are in more open water.

The tidal waters in lower Dorchester County are one of the best places in Maryland to fish for northern snakeheads. The populations are exploding, offering anglers plenty of opportunities to catch a mess of them and also participate in conservation methods to try and control their numbers. They make excellent eating and freeze well. My favorite way to prepare them is to cut the fillets in 3-inch strips, dip them in egg batter, dredge in panko and let them sit in the refrigerator for about 3 hours before frying them in hot oil. If you wish to skip the oil, you can brown them in butter and finish cooking them in a toaster oven.

For blue catfish, the Nanticoke River in the Sharptown area to the mouth of the Marshyhope Creek is the best spot on the Eastern Shore. Anglers there are catching coolers full of them, with most in the 4- to eight 8-pound size range, perfect for eating. Fresh cut bait, often gizzard shad, is the most popular. White perch are moving through the area, and they also make good fresh cut bait.

There is some catch-and-release jigging action at the Calvert Cliffs Power Plant warm water discharge this week, mostly for smaller striped bass. Surface water temperatures in the middle bay region are running about 47 degrees, still a bit chilly for striped bass. The striped bass are moving up the bay and entering the spawning rivers, getting ready for the spawn in late March and early April. There has been some trolling action for larger striped bass but it has been described as a very slow pick with only one or two fish caught and released in a day’s outing.

Lower Bay

Photo courtesy of Caz Kenny

Fishing for blue catfish is taking center stage this week for those fishing the tidal waters of the Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers. Blue catfish populations have been increasing dramatically in recent years. A recent report about a commercial haul seining operation in the tidal Potomac said it’s not unusual for them to catch 20,000 pounds of blue catfish in a single haul, and taking two days to unload it. Recently they caught about 250,000 pounds in a single haul, which took four days to transport the fish to market. Anglers need not worry — there are still plenty of blue catfish to catch, so give it a try and help control this invasive catfish.

Fresh cut bait on a simple bottom rig is the standard way to fish for blue catfish that are under 8 pounds, which often make for the best eating. The fillets are mild tasting and they freeze well. Those looking for trophy sized blue cats usually use live bait and fish the deepest channel areas. On the Potomac, Fort Washington Marina offers a good boat ramp at a nominal cost.

White perch are moving into the upper regions of the tidal rivers and are providing fun and exciting fishing. They are now moving into the shallower and more confined areas of the tidal rivers and creeks, providing for fun light tackle fishing. Small shad darts with a piece of minnow or grass shrimp on it is perhaps the most popular way to fish, casting slightly upstream and bouncing the shad dart as it swings in the current. The white perch tend to move in waves of various sizes; often you’ll be catching small perch one after another, then large ones for a minute or two, then small ones again.

Northern snakeheads are providing some fun fishing in the tidal rivers and creeks of the lower Eastern Shore and the tidal Potomac. Casting chatterbaits and light-color swimshads are a good way to cover water when looking for these fish. Large minnows fished under a bobber or trailing a popping cork is another good way to catch them this time of the year.

A few anglers are trying their hand at catch-and-release fishing for the large, pre-spawn striped bass moving up the bay. The best success seems to be coming from lures trolled behind planer boards, since the fish tend to be up on top in the warmer water. Some light-tackle anglers are finding school-sized striped bass holding along channel edges and taking jigs.

Freshwater Fishing

As mentioned previously, the department decided to suspend spring trout stocking to protect the health and safety of our state employees and also the public and angling community. We need to avoid a situation that encourages anglers to gather near stocked locations.

Mike Tarud holds up a beautiful 7-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass he caught and released recently in the tidal portion of the Gunpowder River. Photo by Rob Hennlein

There is still plenty of enjoyable trout fish to be had. To date, the department has stocked 82,700 brown, golden and rainbow across the state. There are still trout to be found in the many put-and-take areas which are 0 Closure. The Closure 1 areas remained closed until 5:30 a.m. on March 28. The catch-and release trout management areas are open and hold generous numbers of trout to entertain any fisherman. The fly-fishing-only trout management waters hold special promise for enjoyment. Fishing with nymphs or streamers this time of year is often a good bet.

All waters in the state are running very low due to the lack of rain and snow. The upper Potomac River is no exception; flow rates are down and there are a lot of exposed boulders in some areas. When fishing for smallmouth bass, casting small crankbaits near emerging grass and ledges is a good idea in shallower areas; use tubes, grubs, and jigs in the deeper portions of the river.Fishing minnows can also be a great option when fishing these deeper waters, which is where walleye tend to be holding.

Largemouth bass are responding to warmer water temperatures by becoming more active and moving into shallower waters. During the morning hours, the largemouth bass tend to hold in deeper waters often near structure. Silver buddies, grubs and various soft plastics are a good choice when fishing these deeper waters.

As the day progresses and the sun begins to warm surface waters, shallow-running crankbaits such as Rat-L-Traps are a great idea in the transition zones between drop-offs and shallower waters. The slightly shallower areas are good places to work spinnerbaits and cover a lot of water. Any emerging grass is an excellent place to work for largemouth bass holding nearby. When fishing tidal waters, always be ready for northern snakeheads that are holding in the same areas.

Spring is a wonderful time of the year to fish for crappie as they school up in about 5-6 feet of water near any kind of structure they can find. They can be found in many of our tidal waters, small farm ponds, and reservoirs throughout Maryland. Using small minnows or marabou jigs under a slip bobber are two of the best ways to catch them. In tidal waters, marina piers, bridge piers, fallen treetops, and submerged rubble are good places to look for them. Fallen treetops and sunken structure are places to target in nontidal waters.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

Darcia Ward holds up her personal best tautog for the camera that she tagged and released back into the ocean. Photo by Monty Hawkins

Fishing for tautog still dominates the fishing scene in the Ocean City area, and there has been enough tautog activity around the Ocean City Inlet to entertain anglers wishing to enjoy the balmy weather. The charter and party boats heading to the offshore wreck and reef sites continue to enjoy excellent fishing for large tautog. Due to these extraordinary times that encourage social distancing, make sure to contact boat captains to see if they are still taking anglers out and of course use your best judgment to protect your health.

Maryland Fishing Report

is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood,

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

fisheries biologist.

Click Before You Cast is written by Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment Director Tom Parham.

This report is now available on your Amazon Echo device — just ask Alexa to “open Maryland Fishing Report.”

DNREC announces changes to operations in response to COVID-19

Parks, wildlife areas open with no entrance fees until April 30,

but park and wildlife buildings, centers closed to public; Fishing, hunting,

boating licenses, park and conservation passes sales moved online

DOVER, Del. – The

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

continues to focus on taking a proactive and preventative approach to keep communities and employees safe in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, while maintaining operations and services as best as possible.

To encourage Delawareans to be active outdoors and to provide space for activity during the coronavirus period, no fees will be charged or passes required for entrance to

Delaware State Parks

and state wildlife areas, effective immediately until April 30.

“Times are challenging and options are few, and this is an opportunity for Delawareans to experience our amazing parks and wildlife areas, to embrace nature while we maintain social distance from each other,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Hopefully, people will enjoy them enough that they will want to keep coming back long after coronavirus has passed, so we encourage people to buy a state park or wildlife conservation area pass online to use for the rest of the season and to support park and wildlife area operations.”

State parks and wildlife areas are open, and no entrance fees will be charged from now until April 30. All state park campsite, cabins, bathhouses, cottages continue to be open at this time. Buildings such as park and wildlife area offices and nature centers will close after the end of the day Tuesday, and programs and tours are canceled. Anyone visiting a park or wildlife area is encouraged to engage in responsible social distancing practices, avoiding groupings of people. People can find

parks

and

wildlife areas

listed online.

As of Wednesday morning, sales of

fishing licenses, hunting licenses, conservation passes for vehicle access to wildlife areas and boat registrations

will occur online only or at any third-party vendors that remain open, instead of in person at DNREC’s Dover office.

Annual park passes good for the entire season and surf fishing tags

should also be purchased online only or at any third-party agents instead of at park offices or in the Dover office; purchased park passes will be mailed before April 30. The Department has provided convenient links to these resources on its homepage, available at

dnrec.delaware.gov

Commercial fishing license sales will continue at the Department’s main office in Dover by appointment only. Call 302-739-9916 to make an appointment.

Applications and information provided for well, septic, air, water and other permits are being accepted by email, mail and phone, reducing direct interchange of documents.

Hearings for permits, regulations and appeals are being moved to phone or video for public access. Details on how to access any hearings will be posted with the

official hearing notices

Most Department-related events and programs, including tours, trainings and special events have been postponed, including the Junior Solar Sprint competition for middle-school students at Delaware Technical Community College’s Dover campus April 2, the volunteer training April 4 for the annual horseshoe crab spawning survey and the “Make a Splash” water education event for elementary students at the St. Jones Reserve April 7. Specific information about the status of any events is available on the

online events calendar

parks program calendar

and social media pages,

Facebook

and

Twitter

The Department remains open. Many office-based employees are working from home and remote locations or relocating within offices to create distance among individuals. Adjustments are being made to procedures for many parks, wildlife and field personnel to reduce interactions among employees and with the public.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, visit

de.gov/coronavirus

The

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware\’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the

website

and connect with @DNREC on

Facebook

Twitter

CNB Hunting/Fishing Delaware: Poaching,Criminal Charges filed Against Dover Man

DOVER, Del. – A Dover man was arrested March 3 on multiple poaching and criminal charges following an investigation by DNREC Fish & Wildlife

Natural Resources Police.

On Feb. 15, a Fish & Wildlife officer responded to a complaint near Smyrna regarding a shot fired from a pickup truck toward hunters who were in a field amidst snow goose decoys. The vehicle from which the shot was fired was seen later driving through and making ruts in the field occupied by the goose hunters.

Ryan Permelia, 28, was charged with one count each of hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting snow goose without required conservation order season permit, possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl, carrying an unlawfully loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, reckless endangering first degree, criminal mischief under $1,000, and criminal trespass third degree. Permelia was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance, pending a future court appearance in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

The investigation is continuing as officers seek the identity of two persons of interest that were passengers in Permelia’s vehicle at the time of the incident. If you have information about this incident, please contact Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Officer Cpl. Nathan Rust by emailing

nathan.rust@delaware.gov

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Fish & Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the

website

and connect with @DNREC on

Facebook

Twitter

Media Contact

: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell,

brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov

CNB Fishing/Hunting NJ: Bluefish/Striped Bass Regulations Update

The NJ Marine Fisheries Council passed motions to adopt new recreational regulations for Bluefish and Striped Bass at their February 13, 2020 meeting.

The NJ Marine Fisheries Administration is working to implement these new regulations by April 1. Until then,

regulations from 2019 are in effect

. See the table below and keep an eye out for additional message information.

The NRA Stands with Roosevelt

With cases like those of

Shanneen Allen

Brian Aitken

Gordon Van Gilder

Hisashi Pompey

, and

many others

, New Jersey has a well-earned reputation for malevolent gun prosecutions. As bad as those cases were, the Garden State may have just bested their own record for malice with a new low in anti-gun oppression.

According to a report from

Ammoland.com

, armored car security guard Roosevelt Twyne was driving home from a shift in early February when he was pulled over in Roselle Park, N.J., allegedly for a window tint violation. At the time, Twyne was carrying a handgun loaded with

Hornady Critical Duty

ammunition. As he is a security guard, Twyne has a valid New Jersey permit to carry a handgun.

New Jersey is a may-issue carry permit state. Most applicants are required to justify their need for a permit to carry. N.J.S.A. 2C:58-4 requires,

Each application form shall be accompanied by a written certification of justifiable need to carry a handgun, which shall be under oath and, in the case of a private citizen, shall specify in detail the urgent necessity for self-protection, as evidenced by specific threats or previous attacks which demonstrate a special danger to the applicant\’s life that cannot be avoided by means other than by issuance of a permit to carry a handgun. Where possible, the applicant shall corroborate the existence of any specific threats or previous attacks by reference to reports of the incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Additional burdens in the application process include a fingerprinting requirement and a requirement to obtain three personal references. Even after complying with all of these measures, the permit is only valid for a two-year period.

According to Ammoland.com, despite being one of the few individuals with a New Jersey carry permit, Twyne was arrested and charged with

illegal transportation of a firearm

Further, Twyne was reportedly charged with violating New Jersey’s prohibition on hollow-point self-defense ammunition.

N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3

states,

Any person, other than a law enforcement officer or persons engaged in activities pursuant to subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-6, who knowingly has in his possession any hollow nose or dum-dum bullet… is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

New Jersey is the only state that prohibits hollow-point self-defense ammunition.

Millions of American gun owners choose to use hollow-point self-defense ammunition to protect themselves and those around them. In

District of Columbia v. Heller

, U.S. Supreme Court made clear that the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms “in common use” for lawful purposes. As this ammunition is a favorite choice of Americans for the lawful purpose of self-defense, New Jersey’s law is unconstitutional.

However, at the time of his arrest, Twyne was carrying Hornady Critical Duty ammunition in his handgun. Hornady Critical Duty ammunition uses a projectile with what Hornady calls a “Flextip” polymer filling. The projectile does not have a “hollow nose.”

Understanding that Hornady Critical Defense did not meet the definition of “hollow nose” ammunition under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, the New Jersey State Police issued the following guidance on their

Firearm FAQS website

I’m not a police officer, are hollow points legal for me to possess?

Yes. They are legal for purchase and possess in your home or on land owned by you. They are legal to possess and use at a gun range. They are also legal to possess while traveling to and from such places. Ammunition lacking a hollow cavity at the tip, such as those with a polymer filling, are not considered to be hollow point ammunition. An example of this can be seen with the Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty, Cor-Bon PowRball / Glaser Safety Slug and Nosler Inc. Defense ammunition.

Ammoland.com reported that after the arrest Twyne was suspended from his job. New Jersey’s rabid anti-gun politicians don’t seem to care how many innocent, productive lives their incomprehensible web of gun control laws upend.

source

https://www.nraila.org/