New York City Profile
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | Yes | Yes |
Registration of Firearms | Yes | Yes |
Licensing of Owners | Yes | Yes |
Permit to Carry | Yes | Yes |
NOTE: Handgun licenses issued elsewhere in New York State are not valid in New York City. The reader is strongly encouraged to read NY Penal Law section 400.00 on licensing first, and then New York City’s charter and administrative code. The administrative code is a state statute, passed by the State Legislature. The New York City police commissioner is the licensing authority for New York City and the licensing division of the New York City police department has issued regulations which apply to firearms in the city. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | No Law |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | No Provisions |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Complete Ban |
Right To Carry Laws | Rights Restricted-Very Limited Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | None |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | No Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
All Firearms - Purchase and Possession
Only a person age 21 or older can be granted a permit to purchase and possess a firearm. It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, or dispose of a firearm to any person under the age of 21 within the city of New York, unless such person is otherwise exempt by law. MORE |
Handguns - Purchase and Possession
Approval from the Commissioner must be obtained for each handgun purchased under the license. A 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 under New York State law. MORE |
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. MORE |
Rifles and Shotguns - Purchase
The permit to possess a rifle or shotgun also serves as a permit to purchase a rifle or shotgun. MORE |
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 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. MORE |
Rifles and Shotguns - Carrying
It is unlawful for a person to carry a rifle or shotgun on 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 non-transparent case. |
Antiques and 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. MORE |
Miscellaneous
New York City has two definitions of firearm. The New York City Charter has a broader meaning of firearm to include any firearm (defined by the New York Administrative Code), rifle, shotgun, assault weapon, or machine gun. The New York City Administrative Code more narrowly defines firearm as any pistol or revolver, a shotgun having a barrel(s) less than eighteen inches in length, a rifle having a barrel(s) less than sixteen inches in length, or any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle with an overall length of less than 26 inches. Assault weapons (defined in the NYC Administrative code) are not considered firearms except as specifically provided, making this second definition different than the New York State Law. MORE |
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