New York City: State Firearms Laws

(as of August 1995)

Please Note: In addition to state laws, the purchase, sale and (in certain circumstances) the possession and interstate transportation of firearms is regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968 as amended by the Firearm Owners' Protection Act. Also, cities and localities may have their own firearms ordinances in addition to federal and state laws. Details may be obtained by contacting local law enforcement authorities, and by consulting the State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms, available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Quick Reference Chart

                          Rifles and
                          Shotguns     Handguns
                          _____________________
Permit to Purchase           Yes        Yes
Registration of Firearms     Yes        Yes
Licensing of Owner           Yes        Yes
Permit to Carry              Yes        Yes

Handguns - Possession

A license is required to possess a handgun for any purpose. The Commissioner of the New York City Police Department is the issuing authority for handgun licenses.

There are different handgun licenses with different privileges granted under each. A license for a handgun shall be issued to: (1) have and possess in a dwelling by a householder; (2) have and possess in his place of business by a merchant or storekeeper; (3) have and carry concealed for employment purposes; (4) have and carry concealed, without regard to employment or place of possession; (5) possess a target handgun; and (6) have, possess, collect and carry antique pistols.

The applicant for a handgun license must:

  1. Be of "good moral character."
  2. Not have been convicted of a felony or a serious offense.
  3. Not have suffered from a mental illness or been hospitalized for mental illness.
  4. Be a person concerning whom "no good cause exists" for the denial of the license.

To obtain a handgun license to possess in a household or place of business, or to possess a target pistol, no showing of need is required. The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements listed above. The application procedure includes fingerprinting and the submission of 2 photos of the applicant. The non-refundable application fee of all licenses is $170.00 for the first two years. Licenses may not be issued for more than 3 years and renewals are $170.00 for two years.

Only a licensed handgun owner is allowed to possess ammunition suitable for the licensed handgun and is allowed to possess an ammunition feeding device for the licensed handgun, but not to exceed 17 rounds capacity.

Handguns - Purchase

Approval from the commissioner must be obtained for each handgun purchased under the license. The license contains a description of each handgun possessed by the license holder. Additional handguns may be added by means of a Purchase Authorization Coupon and an amendment to the license.

Handguns - Carrying

The license to possess a handgun is a license to carry unless restricted, but almost all licenses are restricted. If there are no restrictions the licensee may carry the handgun concealed on or about his person, loaded or unloaded.

Handgun licenses issued elsewhere in New York State are not valid in New York City. New York City licenses are valid throughout New York State. However, a New York State License to carry or possess will be valid in New York City in the absence of a New York City license provided that the handguns are transported by the licensee in a locked container and the trip through New York City is continuous and uninterrupted.

A license to possess a handgun in one's household or place of business or to possess a target handgun does not authorize the licensee to carry a handgun on or about his person except in the very limited circumstances outlined above (under "Possession"). Similarly, a target handgun license does not grant the holder the right to keep a loaded handgun in his home or place of business. To do so one must have a license to have and possess either in one's dwelling or one's place of business.

A "target" license authorizes the holder to transport his unloaded handgun to and from a shooting range or hunting field in a locked container.

An "on premises" license permits the holder to possess a handgun in his home or place of business. The holder may obtain 2 authorizations a year to transport his handgun(s); unloaded and in a locked container, to and from an authorized shooting range.

To obtain a license to carry concealed handgun the applicant is required to show that "proper cause" exists for the issuance of the license. The decision to issue or deny this license is within the discretion of the commissioner and his decision will only be overturned by a court if it can be shown that he abused his discretion.

A license may not be transferred. The license holder must have the license in his possession while carrying a handgun, and each person licensed to possess a handgun on his premises is required to have a license on such premises. On demand of any peace officer a license must be exhibited.

Rifles and Shotguns - Possession

A permit issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division is required to possess a rifle or shotgun in New York City. The applicant must submit 4 photos taken within 30 days of application, be fingerprinted, and submit 2 affidavits from persons setting forth his good character. The permit is valid for 3 years and is subject to automatic renewal, upon sworn application, and without investigation, unless the Police Commissioner has reason to believe that the status of the applicant has changed since the previous application.

It is unlawful for a person to possess a rifle or shotgun unless he is a holder of a permit as well as a certificate of registration, issued by the Firearms Control Section of the Police Department's License Division for each rifle or shotgun. There is no fee for the certificate of registration; the board keeps a file of all current and past holders of permits and certificates of registration.

The following persons may not obtain a permit to possess a rifle or shotgun:

  1. Persons under 18.
  2. Convicted felons or those convicted of certain misdemeanors unless a certificate of good conduct has been obtained.
  3. Persons not of good moral character.
  4. Persons who have suffered any mental illness or been confined to any hospital or institution, public or private, for mental illness.
  5. Persons not now free from any mental disorders, defects or diseases that would impair the ability to posses or use a rifle or shotgun.
  6. Persons for which just cause exists for the denial of the permit.

No later that 30 days from the submission of the application, unless the police commissioner determined more time is needed for an investigation and then it shall not exceed 60 days, the Commissioner shall issue the permit or shall notify the applicant of the denial of the application and the reason or reasons.

If an application for a permit is denied, the applicant can submit an appeal to the Police Department's License Division. A further appeal can be submitted to the Commanding Officer of the License Division.

Any person holding a valid license to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with the provisions of the New York Penal Law will be issued a shotgun or the rifle permit upon application and payment of the $55 fee.

The following persons may possess rifles and shotguns without a permit or certificate.

  1. Persons under 18 when in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of an adult who possess a permit.
  2. Persons in military service.
  3. Peace officers.
  4. Non-residents in transit.
  5. Members of an accredited civilian rifle club who were given rifles obtained through the DCM.
  6. Members of a rifle team representing an educational institution.
  7. Persons transporting rifles and shotguns as merchandise.
  8. Persons who possess antique rifles and shotguns, defined as those manufactured prior to 1894 and replicas which are not designed to fire fixed ammunition, or for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available.
  9. Inheritance whether by testamentary bequest or by the laws of intestacy, except that the person who receives or acquires said rifle or shotgun is subject to obtaining a permit as well as a certificate of registration. If the heir or legatee of the owner of such a rifle or shotgun does not qualify to possess the rifle or shotgun, the rifle or shot gun may be possessed by the heir or legatee for the purpose of sale for a period not exceeding 180 days or further limited period beyond the 180 days as may be approved by the commissioner, extensions in no event to exceed a total of 90 days.

Any New York City resident acquiring a rifle or shotgun outside the city shall make application for a permit and certificate of registration within 72 hours after bringing such weapon into the city. Pending the issuance of such permit and/or certificate the rifle or shotgun must be deposited at the nearest police precinct.

Non-residents in transit who are carrying rifles and shotguns with them are exempt from the permit and registration requirements provided they remain in New York City for only 24 hours and the rifles and shotguns are at all times unloaded and in a closed case, or in a locked automobile trunk.

Only a rifle or shotgun owner with a permit is allowed to possess ammunition suitable for the registered rifle or shotgun and is allowed to possess an ammunition feeding device for the registered rifle or shotgun, but not to exceed 5 rounds capacity.

Rifles and Shotguns - Purchase

The permit to possess a rifle or a shotgun also serves as a permit to purchase a rifle or a shotgun.

No person lawfully in possession of a rifle or shotgun may dispose of it except to:

  1. A licensed dealer.
  2. The holder of a valid rifle and shotgun permit.
  3. An exempt person such as members of the military, peace officers, and non-residents of New York City.

A non-resident of New York City who has not been issued a permit may purchase a rifle or shotgun from a licensed New York City dealer provided that he subscribes and swears or affirms to a written statement that he would not be disqualified from purchasing a rifle or shotgun if he were a city resident, that he is qualified to purchase a rifle or shotgun in the place where he resides and can document that he is a bona-fide resident of a jurisdiction outside New York City. Non-resident purchasers have 24 hours to remove any long arms so purchased from New York City, and in the event the purchaser is traveling to another country the dealer is authorized to deliver at a terminal to a representative of the railroad, airline or shipping company for placement aboard such train, plane, or ship.

There are 3 ways that a rifle or shotgun sale may be registered with the Firearms Control Section:

  1. The New York City dealer who makes the sale is required to register the sale.
  2. The permit holder is required to register his purchase when he buys from a dealer outside the city.
  3. In a sale between permit holders the parties involved are required to register.

Where the sale is made by a city dealer, the dealer issues a certificate of registration to the buyer and sends a copy to the Firearms Control Section. In all other dispositions the Firearms Control Section issues the certificate of registration. The disposing of the rifle or shotgun must be recorded on forms supplied by the Firearms Control Section. The original copy must be sent to the Firearms Control Section within 72 hours of the purchase or acquisition, and 1 copy will be retained by the seller and 1 copy by the purchaser or recipient. Both parties must have their registration certificates amended to show the addition of the rifle or shotgun.

Rifles and Shotguns - Carrying

It is unlawful for a person to carry a rifle or shotgun on or about his person or in a vehicle without a permit and certificate of registration for such rifle or shotgun. A rifle or shotgun carried in a vehicle must be unloaded and not readily accessible. Rifles and shotguns carried in an automobile trunk need not be cased, but they must be unloaded.

It is unlawful to possess or carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in public. Unloaded shotguns or rifles carried or possessed in public must be completely enclosed or contained in a nontransparent carrying case.

Antiques & Replicas

Exempt from permit and certificate of registration requirements are antique rifles and shotguns incapable of being fired or discharged or which do not fire fixed ammunition or those weapons manufactured prior to 1894 and replicas for which fixed ammunition is not commercially available.

Also exempt is "any unloaded muzzle loading pistol or revolver with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system, or a pistol or revolver which used fixed cartridges which are no longer available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade." This includes replicas.

NOTE: A license would be required to possess these handguns when the ammunition necessary to discharge them is possessed simultaneously.

Miscellaneous

It is unlawful to fire or discharge any gun, pistol, rifle, firing piece or other firearm in the city, except for certain premises designated by the Police.

Non-residents of New York City may apply for a rifle or shotgun permit subject to the same conditions, regulations, and requirements as residents of New York City.

It is unlawful to possess or dispose of an "assault weapon," which is defined as any semiautomatic rifle or shotgun which has one or more of the following features: folding or telescopic stock or no stock, conspicuously protruding pistol grip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, barrel shroud, grenade launcher, or modification of such features, or other features determined by the police commissioner to be suitable for military and not sporting purposes. The commissioner shall by rule designate specific semiautomatic rifles or shotguns as "assault weapons." "Assault weapon" also includes any revolving shotgun or part intended to convert a rifle or shotgun into an "assault weapon." "Assault weapon" shall not include any rifle or shotgun modified to render it permanently inoperative.

It is unlawful to alter, change, remove, disfigure, obliterate or deface the name of the maker, model, manufacturer's or serial number of a rifle, shotgun or assault weapon.

SOURCES: New York City Administrative Code Sections 10-131, Sections 10301, ET. SEQ.

Caution: City and State firearms laws are subject to frequent change. The above summary is not to be considered as legal advice or a restatement of law. To determine the applicability of these laws to specific situations which you may encounter, you are strongly urged to consult a local attorney.

                       Compiled by:
             NRA Institute for Legislative Action
                   11250 Waples Mill Road
                   Fairfax, Virginia 22030
     
        (c)  1995, NRA Institute for Legislative Action.

NS3N 1127                                      Rev. 8/95