New York’s gun laws are in place to control the purchase, use, ownership, and transfer of firearms in the state. New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and New York State has different rules than New York City. New York is a “May Issue” state and local police issue permits. Therefore the fate of your application is in the hands of the officer who processes it. Interestingly, the more people per town, the harsher the gun laws. Even with the strict gun laws, New York currently has 88,205 active gun permits. You can own and possess long guns in New York without a license. Assault weapons are banned in New York. New York City does require a permit to own handguns and long guns. If you want a license in New York, you will have to prove a good reason for needing one. Part-time state residents are eligible to get a permit if they want to apply. Rural areas of New York State have much more permissive gun laws. In with their strict rules, New York bans specific types of ammunition also. A New York State permit is valid everywhere in the state except for New York City.
State CCW Quick Facts
May IssueState gun policy
NoOpen Carry Permitted
NoConstitutional Carry
YesCarry In Restaurants
Yes-With LicenseCarry In Vehicle
ResidentsLicense issued to
88,205Number of Active CCW Permits
23# of states that honor New York license
1# of state licenses that New York honors
5 Yearslicense is valid
20$ cost of the license
21Minimum age for license permit
New York’s policy is May Issue in practice and its license is issued to residents. You can carry a handgun in: forestry lands, owned and maintained by the state university of new york college of environmental science and forestry, all areas of the state not listed as forbidden.
New York CCW Reciprocity Map
States enter into reciprocity agreements so that gun permit owners can travel between states with their firearms. These twenty-three states honor a New York gun permit:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. New York state only honors New York City permits.
The following twenty-eight states will not honor a New York gun permit
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York City, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Permit honored
Permit not honored
Issuing state
New York Concealed Carry Permit and Laws
New York is a “May Issue” state for permits. It can take up to 4-6 months to be approved for a gun permit in New York and some counties even 14 months. You can only carry specific handguns listed on the approved list. The license costs $20, and they are good for five years. The process of obtaining one and difficulty varies significantly from county to county. There are seven types of licenses you can apply for. You begin by applying with your local police or sheriff’s office. You will need four personal references (no family members). New York does not offer permits to non-residents. You are required to complete a 4-8 hour training class. You cannot take a firearm into airports, your vehicle, courthouses, government buildings, schools or other educational facilities, New York City or any mental health center.
CCW Eligibility: Qualify or Pre-Qualify?
It depends on the county, but the requirements to apply for a gun permit in New York are very long. First, you must be at least twenty-one years old. Some places require you take a 4-8 hours training course. You must be of “good moral character” and reside in the county where you apply. You need to prove a good reason for needing one, and you must not have any protective court orders against you. You cannot have any felonies on your record or any reason you would be denied. You must be a legal U.S. citizen and not have any misdemeanors for domestic abuse. You cannot have any mental illness or be under the care of a guardian.
New York Gun Background Check
New York is not a “point of contact” state. Therefore, licensed dealers must contact the FBI and perform a background check through NCIS on prospective buyers. The only exception to this is when a dealer facilitates the transfer of the weapon from one family member to another. Dealers must keep detailed records of every sale, transfer, disposal and are subject to surprise inspections.
Must be 21 years of age or older, provided, however, that where such applicant has been honorably discharged from the United States army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard, or the national guard of the state of New York, no such age restriction shall apply.
Some counties may require you to complete a firearms safety course.
Reside or maintain a principal place of business within the county application is filed in.
Be of good moral character.
Is not subject to a protective court order.
Show proper cause exists for the issuance of a carry license, including, for example, target shooting, hunting, or self-defense.
Have no prior conviction for a felony or other serious offense under NYS Penal Law.
No good cause exists for the denial of the license.
Not be residing in the United States illegally or unlawfully.
Not have been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.
Have not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Have not had a guardian appointed for him or her pursuant to any provision of state law, based on a determination that as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incapacity, condition or disease, he or she lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his or her own affairs.
Be free from any mental disorders, defects or diseases that would impair his or her ability to safely possess or use a firearm.
Have not been involuntarily committed to a facility under the jurisdiction of the department of mental hygiene.
Have not had a license revoked or who is not under a suspension or ineligibility order.
Federal law requirements
Gun CCW Permit Application
There are so many laws and regulations that obtaining a permit can be a long process. There are 59 licensing jurisdictions and each one has a slightly different procedure. We have used Erie County as an example but the process will vary with each county.
You may need to do a handgun safety course in some counties.
Download the State application in the forms section on this page. You will need the State form and a County form, we only have the State form available.
You will need four character references and two 2″ x 2″ photos.
You must submit the applications in person.
The Fingerprinting process is explained and done after you submit your application.
You will undergo various background checks by New York State, FBI and an interview by local police.
Your Application is then submitted to one of the Licensing Judges for consideration.
You will be notified by mail of your approval or denial.
If approved, you can purchase and/or co-register a handgun.
Non-Residents
More counties are now issuing CCW licenses to non-residents. In fact in 2013 the US Court of Appeals ruled that a non-resident was entitled to a license, though the person in question lived part time in New York.
CCW Renewal
Renewal procedures vary with each of the 59 licensing jurisdictions.
Licenses valid for – 5 years
Nassua, Suffolk and Westchester counties
Licences valid for – 2 years
New York City
Licenses valid for – Lifetime
Most other counties
Recertification
All handgun licenses in New York state now need to be re-certified every five years with the New York State Police.
You will need to provide the following information every 5 years;
Date of Birth
Gender
Race
Address
Social Security number
Firearms possessed
If you do not supply this information then after 5 years your license will be invalid and you will need to apply for a new license.
Recertification applies to all counties and types of handgun licenses including lifetime licenses.
All the counties located upstate with the exception of Westchester have a lifetime license.
NY Concealed Carry License Fee information
Permit type
Fees when getting a new permit
Renewal
Current license amendment
Fingerprint scan fee
Fee for firearm classes
Additional state fees
License to purchase, possess, and carry
$20.00
Up to $10 (varies by county)
Duplicate: $18 Name, Address change: $3 County transfer: $8
$10.00
$65.00
An additional fee of $10 may be charged for processing your fingerprints.
New York City
Handgun Licenses (various)
$340.00
$340.00
$87.00
Rifles and Shotguns Permit
$140.00
$140.00
$87.00
Places Where You Can & Can’t Carry a Gun in New York
Allowed
Forbidden
Forestry lands
Courthouses
Owned and maintained by the State University of New York College of environmental science and forestry
Government buildings – in certain cities and counties
All areas of the state not listed as Forbidden
New York airports
Building or grounds used for educational purposes of any school, college, or university
Within the city of New York unless a special permit granting validity is issued by the police commissioner of that city
At any facility operated or licensed by the Office of Mental Health
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
New York CCW Contact
New York Bureau of Firearms
Hours
Monday – Friday:
N/A
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Contact
Address:
New York State Police 1220 Washington Avenue, Building 22