East Hanover Firearms Retailer Settles Lawsuit Over Unlawful Sales

East Hanover, NJ – A firearms retailer has reached a court-ordered settlement with the state of New Jersey after being accused of selling gun-related products to customers without verifying their legal eligibility to possess firearms.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the resolution of a civil lawsuit against Point Blank Guns & Ammo LLC, which allegedly sold ammunition and firearm accessories to undercover investigators without requesting identification or permits. The lawsuit, filed in November 2024, stemmed from two separate transactions in early 2024 where the retailer failed to comply with state-mandated sales requirements.

Background

The lawsuit was initiated by the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office, a unit established in 2022 to ensure compliance with firearm safety regulations. The investigation revealed that:

• In March 2024, Point Blank sold a handgun ammunition magazine to a first-time customer without asking for identification or verifying eligibility.
• In May 2024, the store sold a 1,000-round case of .223 caliber ammunition to another first-time buyer, again without checking permits or identification.
• Both transactions were completed in cash, and no steps were taken to determine if the buyers were legally allowed to purchase firearm-related products.

New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 2C:58-35, enacted in July 2022, requires gun-related product sellers to ensure that purchasers can lawfully possess firearms before completing sales.

Settlement Terms

Under the consent order, Point Blank Guns & Ammo has agreed to strict compliance measures to prevent sales to individuals prohibited from firearm possession under state or federal law. The retailer must:

1. Verify the legal status of all buyers before selling gun-related products. This can be done by only selling to:
   • Licensed firearms businesses, or
   • Individuals who present a valid New Jersey firearms ID card or permit.
2. Request government-issued photo identification if the presented firearms permit does not include a photograph.
3. Maintain records of all gun-related product sales, including documentation of how the buyer’s eligibility was verified. These records must be kept for three years and regularly transmitted to the SAFE Office.
4. Pay a $2,500 fine to cover the Attorney General’s costs of bringing the lawsuit.

Attorney General’s Statement and SAFE Office Oversight

Attorney General Platkin emphasized that the settlement reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to firearm safety and ensures that businesses selling gun-related products follow the law.

“I will not tolerate lax and unlawful practices by firearms businesses—the very kind that can lead to a deadly mass shooting,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Our Legislature and Governor put these laws into place to keep us safe and they must be followed. We are glad that Point Blank has agreed to follow the law going forward.”

The SAFE Office, the first of its kind in the nation, was established to oversee firearm industry compliance and accountability. Under P.L. 2022, c. 56, the office enforces public safety regulations to prevent gun violence and ensure responsible firearm sales.

“This settlement shows that our civil accountability laws are working as intended,” said Ravi Ramanathan, Director of SAFE. “Gun stores must take reasonable steps to make sure that they only sell ammunition and other gun-related products to people who can lawfully possess a firearm. I appreciate that Point Blank has accepted responsibility and has agreed to change its practices going forward.”

The state’s enforcement actions reflect its ongoing efforts to tighten gun regulations and hold retailers accountable for improper sales practices. The agreement with Point Blank Guns & Ammo serves as a precedent for other firearm dealers across New Jersey, highlighting the importance of vetting customers before sales.

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