Another thread I failed to respond to. What the heck. Better late than never. Beside we have some new members. Maybe they'll chime in as well.
Anyway, while NJ is a "shall issue" state in reality it's a "no issue." Several lawsuits have been filed throughout the years and each time it's gets dismissed or the current process re-affirmed.
Anyway, since I'm LEO I get to carry and thanks to H.R. 218, for life and in all 50 states.
So I'm been carrying since 1995. Below is my EDC. Missing is a Swiss Army Knife with a handcuff key. For off duty it's the same except for the .38 and one less magazine.