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Local advocates ask Egg Harbor Township to rebate municipal portion of concealed-carry fees
Summary
A group of residents urged the township to adopt a resolution rebating the $150 municipal portion of state concealed-carry/permit fees, citing fee increases after the Bruen decision; the police chief said the department is processing high permit volumes and staffing constraints should be considered. No vote was taken.
Egg Harbor Township Residents and advocates presented a proposed resolution asking Egg Harbor Township to rebate the $150 municipal portion of fees associated with concealed-carry and firearm-permit transactions, saying recent fee increases following the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision have created financial barriers for lower-income residents.
Dominic Renka, who identified himself as a local resident and organizer, told the committee he and other advocates submitted the proposed resolution electronically and urged the township to consider becoming one of the municipalities that rebated the municipal portion to applicants. "You are controlling that $150," he said, arguing that municipalities already receive a $150 remittance from the state and could return it to applicants to reduce financial barriers.
Renka described the post-Bruen fee increases and said several municipalities in New Jersey have adopted or are considering rebate resolutions. Supporting speakers, including Sandra Hickerson (who said she lives in Absecon) and Robert Anderson, echoed the call for parity and affordability for residents.
Police department leadership cautioned that the local agency has been processing a high volume of permits since the state changes and that administrative time and staffing constraints are relevant to any local decision. The police chief (referred to in the record as Jake) said the department meets processing targets but that expanding responsibilities without staffing increases has consequences.
No formal action or vote on a rebate resolution occurred during the meeting; advocates were asked to provide materials and the committee said it would review the proposal for future consideration.
