The Second Amendment sanctuary movement has spread nationally. And the tens of thousands of gun owners who showed up on the Virginia capitol steps caught the attention of gun owners who haven’t been involved in gun rights activism before. Even in states like New Jersey.

Gun owners in New Jersey argue the hurdles Trenton lawmakers have created for gun purchases don’t promote public safety.

To purchase a firearm in the state, gun owners have to pay a $5 application and provide fingerprints, consent to a mental health records check, and two references.

Applicants have to wait 30 days for local law enforcement to process the forms, but gun owners say it can take months.

Advocates argue criminals won’t wait for the state-mandated Firearm ID Card required for gun purchases.

“The criminals are going to carry anyway,” said Ron Maccri, a retired law enforcement officer who lives in Vineland. “Because they’re criminals.”

Making it harder for civilians to purchase weapons only makes them more vulnerable to criminals, said Maccri.