N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.5
The chief of police or the Superintendent, as the case may be, shall cause the applicant to be thoroughly investigated. The investigation shall include, but not be limited to, ascertaining that the applicant satisfies all of the requirements contained in this chapter for obtaining a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card, that the applicant has or has not demonstrated a thorough familiarity with the safe handling and use of handguns as evidenced by the application and accompanying materials, and that the applicant has or has not factually demonstrated a justifiable need to carry a handgun. The chief of police or the Superintendent shall approve or disapprove the application after completion of the investigation. If the application is approved, by the chief of police or the Superintendent, as the case may be, it shall be forwarded to the Superior Court of the county where the applicant resides, or if a nonresident or an employee of an armored car company, to a county where he or she intends to carry the handgun, for presentation to a judge of the Superior Court.
N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-2.5
See: 39 N.J.R. 2324(a), 39 N.J.R. 5349(a).
Inserted "by the chief of police or the Superintendent, as the case may be,", and substituted "Superior Court of the county where the applicant resides, or if a nonresident or an employee of an armored car company, to a county where he or she intends to carry the handgun," for "county clerk".