Last Updated on: 15th October 2023, 09:19 am

New York Gun Laws: A Guide for Responsible Ownership

New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. This article aims to help responsible gun owners in New York understand and comply with state and local regulations.

New York State Gun Laws

In New York state, you need a permit to purchase and possess a handgun. The minimum age is 21, except for honorably discharged members of the military.

Handgun Permits

To legally own a handgun in New York state, you must have a pistol permit (also called a firearms license). This involves submitting an application, getting fingerprinted, passing a background check, and taking a safety course.

There are several types of pistol permits:

• Premises permit – allows you to have a handgun in your home or business
• Carry permit – allows you to carry a concealed handgun in public
• Target/hunting permit – allows possession of a handgun for sport shooting and hunting

Long Guns

You do not need a permit to purchase rifles and shotguns in most parts of New York state. However, New York City has different rules (more on that later).

It is legal to buy rifles and shotguns in other states and bring them back to New York, as long as you can legally possess them here.

You can possess a rifle or shotgun without a permit as long as:

• The rifle barrel is at least 16 inches
• The shotgun barrel is at least 18 inches
• You don’t have a felony conviction
• You haven’t been deemed mentally incompetent

Children under 16 generally can’t use rifles or shotguns except at shooting ranges under supervision.

If you live with someone who can’t legally have guns, you must securely lock up any guns in your home. Violating this is a misdemeanor.

Transporting Guns in New York State

When transporting handguns in a vehicle, they must be unloaded and in a locked container separate from the ammo. You can only transport them directly to/from exempt locations like ranges, sellers, your home, etc.

Rifles and shotguns don’t need to be locked up, but must be unloaded when transported in a vehicle.

It’s illegal to possess a loaded handgun outside your home, with few exceptions. It’s also illegal to fire guns in public areas.

Purchasing Guns in New York State

When buying a gun from a dealer, you’ll undergo a background check via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

For handguns, the dealer will confirm you have a valid pistol permit. For semi-auto rifles, you’ll need either a pistol permit or a separate eligibility certificate.

Private sales of rifles, shotguns, and handguns require a background check. The buyer and seller must appear together at a dealer to conduct the check.

Gun Safety and Storage Laws

If you live with someone prohibited from having guns, you must securely lock up any guns in your home. Violating this is a misdemeanor.

It’s also illegal to deface a gun’s serial number or buy a gun with a removed serial number.

New York City Gun Laws

New York City has additional regulations beyond the state laws.

Permits

You need a permit issued by the NYPD to possess any kind of gun in NYC, even rifles and shotguns. It’s illegal to bring guns into NYC without the proper permit, even if you have a permit issued elsewhere in New York.

NYC has several types of permits with specific rules on purchasing, transporting, and carrying firearms.

Transporting Guns in NYC

To travel through NYC with a gun, it must be unloaded and in a locked container, with ammo separate. You can only stop for gas and tolls.

Otherwise, you can only transport guns directly to/from exempt locations like authorized ranges in NYC.

Public Carry

NYC does not generally issue permits to carry handguns in public. Rifles and shotguns must be in a case when carried publicly.

Penalties

The penalties for illegal possession of a handgun in NYC start at 3.5 years in prison.

Responsible Gun Ownership in New York

• Always keep guns securely stored when not in use, especially if you have children at home
• Never carry a handgun in public without a valid carry permit that allows it
• Transport guns unloaded, cased, and separate from ammo
• Follow all regulations on purchasing, registering, and transferring guns
• Renew pistol permits and assault weapon registrations on time
• Practice gun safety and take safety courses regularly
• Be aware of all state and local laws if traveling through or moving to different areas of New York

Responsible gun owners have nothing to fear from New York’s regulations. But you must educate yourself and follow all requirements. If unsure about any laws, consult an attorney.

Conclusion

Stay up to date on any changes to state and local gun laws. Follow groups like the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. Consider joining national groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Be a responsible gun owner. Safely use and store your firearms. Know and follow all applicable regulations. Together, we can protect our Second Amendment rights while keeping our communities safe.