On December 22, South Toms River became the 14th town in the state to rebate a portion of the state-mandated permit to carry fee, continuing the tradition of local leadership upholding Second Amendment rights in defiance of the state’s unconstitutional burdens.
Resolution 2025-175 passed with all in favor, and reimburses $100 of the $150 state-mandated municipal portion of the total $200 fee. The new measure is effective immediately.
As with other such measures, the effort took place at the grassroots level, with a private citizen bringing the idea forth to the mayor and town council. And not just any citizen, but one strongly embedded in the Second Amendment community. Meet Sharon.
Sharon Palombi spoke with News2A, sharing how she was inspired to take personal action after witnessing the first such measure to pass in Englishtown, earlier this year. Sharon is a permit to carry holder and a member of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, Coalition of New Jersey Firearms Owners, and Women for Gun Rights.
“I approached this from the perspective of being a female in a town that isn’t considered to be affluent. My testimony to the council was that it would be an injustice towards women and people without means to uphold excessive fees on our constitutional rights – fees that for many would be a deterrent,” said Palombi, adding, “I was very encouraged by the help from Joe LoPorto, John Petrolino, and CNJFO board members who attended prior meetings in other towns. And the testimony provided by Tony Rockhill and Michael Glenn gave me courage to share my perspective with the town.”
With a population of 3,643 residents, Toms River has issued 26 total approved applications for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, with two being renewals, according to the state’s Permit to Carry Dashboard.
The movement to rebate carry permits came out of a collaboration between three gun rights groups: the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action. This first-of-its-kind movement has helped many private citizens bring similar measures to their town councils for consideration by providing a policy briefing document with both language that can be used in a bill and suggestions about how to communicate with elected officials.
