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Old Tappan council to consider resolution seeking refund of municipal handgun-carry permit fee
Summary
After a lengthy public presentation and council discussion, members agreed to draft a resolution asking the borough to refund the municipal portion of concealed-carry permit fees and to consider the measure at the August meeting. Advocates called the $150 municipal fee a "paywall" that inhibits access to a constitutional right.
Council members agreed to draft and consider a resolution asking Old Tappan to refund the municipal portion of handgun-carry permit fees after a public presentation that framed the charge as an access barrier to constitutionally protected rights.
Joe (identified as a legal operations director for a firearm-advocacy group) and other speakers urged the council to join several New Jersey municipalities that have passed similar measures. "No constitutional right should be hidden behind a paywall," said Joseph Laporto, who told the council he represents several statewide and national firearms organizations and urged the council to give the measure "due consideration" and bring it forward for a vote. Speaker materials and a model resolution were provided to the council by advocates.
Council members discussed the law passed in December 2022 that added a municipal-processing fee and how it interacts with the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. "This fee is actually unconstitutional," said one advocate during the presentation, urging towns to send a unified message to Trenton. Council members asked practical questions about local fiscal accounting and about whether refunds should be applied retroactively or only going forward. A town official recommended creating a separate trustee line item to manage any refunds across fiscal years.
Mayor and council agreed to draft a resolution for the August meeting. Councilman Marty said he would invite the presenters back and that a resolution would be prepared for formal consideration. The council did not vote on the measure at the July meeting.
