Gun Laws New York

Overview: New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S., requiring licenses for handgun ownership and, since 2022, for semi-automatic rifles as well. Assault weapons must be registered, and magazines are limited to 10 rounds. Concealed carry permits are tightly regulated, and guns are banned in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. Universal background checks are required for all firearm and ammunition sales, and red flag laws allow temporary removal of guns from individuals deemed dangerous. The state also bans ghost guns and mandates microstamping technology on new handguns to aid law enforcement.

New York Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources

Question	Answer
Does New York have an Assault Weapons Ban?	✅ Yes. New York bans many assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, and ghost guns (SAFE Act).
Are background checks required for private gun sales?	✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require a background check and permit (handgun or long-gun license).
Are background checks required through FFL dealers?	✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.
Is New York a Stand Your Ground state?	⚠️ No. Duty to retreat is required outside the home; inside, Castle Doctrine applies.
What kind of restrictions does New York have?	⚠️ Handgun and long-gun licenses required ⚠️ SAFE Act restrictions on assault weapons and mags over 10 rounds ⚠️ Mandatory registration of handguns and assault weapons ⚠️ Permits/licenses require fingerprinting, background checks, and training ⚠️ 3‑day waiting period for most handgun purchases (varies slowly by county)
Does New York have any gun storage laws?	✅ Yes. Safe storage mandated—firearms must be secured and separated from ammo; officers follow stricter rules. Violations are crimes.
Can you buy firearms in bulk in New York?	🚫 No. Purchase frequency and quantity may be limited; dealers report multiple sales.
Does New York have a red flag law?	✅ Yes. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are in effect statewide.
Age to purchase firearms?	ℹ️ 18+ for long guns with license. ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
Do I have to register my guns in New York?	✅ Yes. Registration required for handguns, assault weapons; long-gun registration varies by locality.
Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?	✅ Yes. A pistol permit is required before purchase.
Does New York have a waiting period for firearms?	✅ Yes. Typically 3‑day waiting period for handguns; long guns may vary.

Does New York have an Assault Weapons Ban?

✅ Yes. New York bans many assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines, and ghost guns (SAFE Act).

Are background checks required for private gun sales?

✅ Yes. All firearm transfers require a background check and permit (handgun or long-gun license).

Are background checks required through FFL dealers?

✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.

Is New York a Stand Your Ground state?

⚠️ No. Duty to retreat is required outside the home; inside, Castle Doctrine applies.

What kind of restrictions does New York have?

⚠️ Handgun and long-gun licenses required
⚠️ SAFE Act restrictions on assault weapons and mags over 10 rounds
⚠️ Mandatory registration of handguns and assault weapons
⚠️ Permits/licenses require fingerprinting, background checks, and training
⚠️ 3‑day waiting period for most handgun purchases (varies slowly by county)

Does New York have any gun storage laws?

✅ Yes. Safe storage mandated—firearms must be secured and separated from ammo; officers follow stricter rules. Violations are crimes.

Can you buy firearms in bulk in New York?

🚫 No. Purchase frequency and quantity may be limited; dealers report multiple sales.

Does New York have a red flag law?

✅ Yes. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are in effect statewide.

Age to purchase firearms?

ℹ️ 18+ for long guns with license.
ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.

Do I have to register my guns in New York?

✅ Yes. Registration required for handguns, assault weapons; long-gun registration varies by locality.

Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?

✅ Yes. A pistol permit is required before purchase.

Does New York have a waiting period for firearms?

✅ Yes. Typically 3‑day waiting period for handguns; long guns may vary.

Question	Answer
Does New York allow Open Carry?	🚫 Illegal. Open carry is not permitted, except by law enforcement or those with special state authorization.
Does New York allow Concealed Carry?	✅ Legal only with a New York State Concealed Carry Permit (CCP).
Non‑Lethal Weapons?	⚠️ Pepper spray (only civilian defense spray) is legal; stun guns and Tasers are prohibited for most civilians.
Places allowed to carry?	✅ Private property (with permission), outdoors (subject to local restrictions), and inside personal vehicles.
Places not allowed to carry?	🚫 Schools, courts, state buildings, public transportation, parks, and any site flagged as “no firearms.”
States honored?	🚫 No, New York does not honor concealed carry permits from other states. To legally carry a handgun in New York, you must obtain a New York State Pistol Permit.
States reciprocate?	✅ New York concealed carry permits are recognized in: Arkansas Idaho Indiana Minnesota Montana New Hampshire North Carolina North Dakota South Dakota Vermont ⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
Permit duration & renewal?	ℹ️ License holder must recertify with the New York State Police every 3 years for a concealed carry license and every 5 years for other types of licenses.
Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?	🚫 No. Permits are issued exclusively for handguns.
Permit Licensure?	✅ Mandatory. Applicants must be 21+, complete training, and demonstrate “good moral character.” The NYPD License Division is responsible for the application process, screening, and issuing of various types of handgun licenses, as well as rifle and shotgun permits.

Does New York allow Open Carry?

🚫 Illegal. Open carry is not permitted, except by law enforcement or those with special state authorization.

Does New York allow Concealed Carry?

✅ Legal only with a New York State Concealed Carry Permit (CCP).

Non‑Lethal Weapons?

⚠️ Pepper spray (only civilian defense spray) is legal; stun guns and Tasers are prohibited for most civilians.

Places allowed to carry?

✅ Private property (with permission), outdoors (subject to local restrictions), and inside personal vehicles.

Places not allowed to carry?

🚫 Schools, courts, state buildings, public transportation, parks, and any site flagged as “no firearms.”

States honored?

🚫 No, New York does not honor concealed carry permits from other states. To legally carry a handgun in New York, you must obtain a New York State Pistol Permit.

States reciprocate?

✅ New York concealed carry permits are recognized in:

Arkansas
Idaho
Indiana
Minnesota
Montana
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota

South Dakota
Vermont

⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.

Permit duration & renewal?

ℹ️ License holder must recertify with the New York State Police every 3 years for a concealed carry license and every 5 years for other types of licenses.

Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?

🚫 No. Permits are issued exclusively for handguns.

Permit Licensure?

✅ Mandatory. Applicants must be 21+, complete training, and demonstrate “good moral character.”

The NYPD License Division is responsible for the application process, screening, and issuing of various types of handgun licenses, as well as rifle and shotgun permits.

Resources	Links
Official Licensing & State Info	NY Government – Concealed Carry Permit Guide NYS Licensing/Elections Division – Firearms Info HandgunLaw.us – New York Firearm Guide (PDF)
Gun Laws & Legal References	NY Penal Law §265.30 – Unlawful Possession of a Weapon NY Penal Law §265.00 – Definitions & Licensing
Training & Certification	NRA Instructor Directory – New York
Gun Safety & Education	Project ChildSafe – Safety Kits Be SMART – Safe Storage for Families