The Carteret Police Department may have issued more than three dozens gun permits over the past two years without running background checks on the buyers and, in five of those cases, authorities are trying to pull owners' permits.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the investigation Monday and said it has found that 38 possible permits or firearms purchaser identification cards were issued since 2015 without a complete review, including a check of mental health or criminal records.

The prosecutor's office has also filed a motion in Superior Court to revoke the permits in five cases where there are "serious statutory" issues, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said.

It was unclear how many background checks were done in total over that time.

Carteret officials did not respond immediately for comment.

The revelation comes amid a national debate over access to firearms in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida -- and as lawmakers here in New Jersey consider a range of gun control bills.



In New Jersey, local police departments are responsible for vetting applicants seeking firearms ID cards and handgun purchase permits by contacting references and checking mental health status. Police then submit their information to the State Police for a formal background check.

The borough police department is cooperating with the prosecutor's office, and State Police are stepping in to approve new permits as the problem is fixed locally, according to authorities.

NJ Advance Media reporter S.P. Sullivan contributed to this report.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips