Buckeye Reporter

Englishtown, New Jersey, has become the center of attention following a decision by Mayor Daniel Francisco and the borough council to rebate $150 of the state's $200 concealed carry permit fee back to residents. This move is seen as a significant step for gun owners in a state known for its strict Second Amendment regulations.

New Jersey's carry permit system is among the toughest in the country. Following the 2022 Bruen decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which invalidated "justifiable need" laws, New Jersey increased its carry permit fee from $50 to $200. Of this amount, $150 goes to local town governments.

Mayor Francisco, who was previously involved in a federal gun rights case, explained that there is no state law preventing towns from returning this money. "There's nothing in state law that says we can't give the money back," he said on Bearing Arms with Cam Edwards.

Englishtown has historical significance as it was once a staging ground during the Battle of Monmouth in the Revolutionary War. Mayor Francisco sees this rebate initiative as part of that revolutionary spirit: "In the same way our town played a role in turning the tide against the Redcoats, maybe we're now turning the tide against unconstitutional gun laws."

The resolution avoids legal conflict with state authorities by accepting fees and then choosing to rebate them. The initiative has garnered interest from other towns across New Jersey, with some considering similar actions.

Francisco highlighted that before the Bruen ruling, municipalities did not receive any revenue from carry permits. "They can’t claim they’re losing money they never had," he stated.

The rebate program is active and retroactive to January 1, 2025. Residents need only show proof of payment to receive their rebate check.

Support for Englishtown's action comes from various quarters including legal backing from attorneys like Jonathan Cohen and media coverage from outlets such as Bearing Arms and AmmoLand News. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) praised it as "a show of true leadership."

Mayor Francisco emphasized that exercising constitutional rights should not come at an additional cost: “You shouldn’t have to pay a premium to exercise a basic civil right,” he said.

The move by Englishtown sets an example for other municipalities in New Jersey and beyond.