With respect, I think that you are misinformed about NJ gun laws. As a former resident of NJ (I escaped a bit less than 2 years ago), I am familiar with this topic.
The ID card should, by law, take no more than 30 days to obtain. You are then graciously permitted (/dripping sarcasm) to buy ammo for handguns and any long gun (though not hollowpoint handgun ammo). However, the 30 day limit specified in NJ law is routinely ignored (does this surprise anyone, given what just happened with the Senatorial ballot?), esp. in anti-gun jurisdictions (the majority in NJ, esp. in and near big cities). You also have to get a replacement (incl. new fingerprints and, of course a fee for the prints) every time you move to a different town.
As for handgun permits, you must be referring to permits to buy a handgun, which you do need every time you wish to purchase one. These must be signed by your local police chief, or you can't get one, and nothing requires them to sign off. You DO NOT have to renew them every 6 months, as it is a single-use document. As for CCW in NJ, there isn't any. Oh, in theory there is the possibility of getting a carry license, but you had better be a BIG contributor to some pol's campaign, or a good friend of some judge. No average person can get one.
All that said, I'm glad to be in Texas. It is good to be living in Free America, where I can carry a handgun (or 10, if I can conceal them all), where I can walk into a gun shop or go to a gun show (there are none in NJ) and buy any long gun and any ammo (including hollowpoint handgun, tracer, armor-piercing and AP incendiary) with no permit. Handguns I can buy instantly, as my CHL permit bypasses the Brady check.