Over the past few weeks, TLS has been inundated with messages inquiring about their gun permits, particularly wondering why it’s taking time to process.

TLS reached out to the Police Department for comment about the process and processing times.

The LPD stated that many applications are coming in incomplete, delaying the approval process.

We asked the Department what information they can provide to help residents expedite the process, and here’s what we were told.

When applying for your Firearm ID / Permit to purchase / CCW, please be sure to submit your application with all correct information including: qualifications / documents / photos / reference information, personal information.  Some of the information listed is not able to be edited. In the application, you are signing that you have applied for the proper amount of permits or ID card, your name and Date of Birth are correct, and that you have reviewed all of the information (which includes reference information and email address) and is entered correctly.

If any of the above are incorrect, your application MAY be withdrawn, causing you to have to reapply and pay again.

There is no need to contact the Firearm Unit for an update within the first 30 days of your application, the amount of applicants calling in or emailing on a daily basis for an update, takes the time away from the in process applications causing major delays. After you received an email to pay the Lakewood Police Department and 30 days has gone by, if you have not heard anything for your Firearm ID or Permit to Purchase, you can call or email to see where you stand, we will get back to you as soon as possible. Your CCW application may take over 30 days prior to us contacting you for payment to the Police Department. CCW applications are taking approximately 90 days for approval.

There has been an influx of applications across the board, which in turn makes the time frame for approval to be delayed in some instances.

The photo that you are attaching for a CCW or Firearm ID MUST BE IN  “JPEG” format.  The photo MUST be taken of your shoulders and head, on a plain background. This photo will be on your ID card. NO PHOTOS WITH OTHER PEOPLE, HAND GESTURES, OR ITEMS IN THE BACKGROUND WILL BE ACCEPTED.  The photo should be the same as if it were taken for a passport.  This is a form of a Government Identification, and should be taken seriously.

When uploading your qualification for a CCW, please be sure to include the S.P.182, if that is not included, the application is not complete.

Payment forms accepted: Cashier Check, Bank Check, Money Order, Cash. NO PERSONAL OR BUSINESS CHECKS accepted.

In the event you have dual residency, you must provide a copy of your Lease from within Lakewood Townhship with your name and the address or a TAX Statement from Lakewood Township with your name and the address.

While completing the Firearm ID / Permit Applications, the NJ driver license is listed as optional information, but that is your proof of residence, please consider completing the NJ Driver License information.