◆ NEW YORK · CARRY LAW
New York.
Information, not legal advice. Confirm with the state before you carry.
Kept in this browser only. Never sent to us.
◆ THE SHORT ANSWEREvery tile below is one of the answers further down this page, with its citation.
Concealed, no permit
No
Open, no permit
No
In a vehicle, no permit
No
Getting a permit
Maybe, at an official's discretion
- Magazine capacity is capped here.
- A permit is required to buy a firearm, not just to carry one.
- This state has an extreme-risk protective order law.
◆ CARRYING HERE
What New York requires
The state's permit is the Pistol License, issued by the licensing officer for your county or city.
Carrying without a permit3
Can I carry concealed here without a permit?
Permitless or "constitutional" carry. "Limited" means some adults qualify and others do not. Read the qualifier.
No
A New York license is required and New York honors no other state’s. Worse for a visitor: a New York STATE license does not cover New York City, which licenses separately.
Can I carry openly here without a permit?
No
No statute bans open carry in terms, but the license is issued to carry CONCEALED, and carrying without a license is the offense, so there is no lawful route to open carry.
Can I keep a loaded handgun in my car without a permit?
No
There is no route. Possessing a handgun without a New York license is itself the offense, and nothing in it carves out a car. If you are driving THROUGH, the only protection is the federal peaceable-journey rule. Unloaded, locked away, not readily accessible, and that is a federal defense, not New York permission.
N.Y. Penal Law § 265.01-b; cf. 18 U.S.C. § 926ARead at FindLaw ↗, not the statuteChecked 11 days ago
Permits and age3
If I want this state's permit, will they issue one?
Shall-issue means the state must issue to any qualified applicant. May-issue leaves it to an official's discretion.
Maybe, at an official's discretion
Post-Bruen New York can no longer demand a special reason, but the licensing officer still makes a finding of good moral character, and the process is heavy: 16 hours of training, an in-person interview, four character references and a list of your social media accounts for the past three years.
Can I get this state's permit if I live somewhere else?
Only in some cases
You apply where you live, are principally employed, or have your principal place of business, so a non-resident who WORKS in New York can apply, and one who is only visiting cannot.
How old do I have to be to carry here?
The floor for the least restrictive lawful route. Where permitless and permit ages differ, the qualifier says so.
21
21, but the age bar falls away entirely for anyone honorably discharged from the armed forces.
If an officer stops you1
Do I have to tell an officer I am armed?
"Required" means you must volunteer it on contact. "On request" means only when asked.
Not required
Buying and owning2
Do I need a state-issued card just to own or buy a firearm here?
Illinois' FOID is the main example. Distinct from a carry permit.
Required
The pistol license is also the buying authority, and since 2022 a separate license is needed for a semi-automatic rifle.
Is there a limit on magazine capacity here?
Only in some cases
10 rounds. A device that can be readily restored or converted to hold more counts.
In force since January 15, 2013.
N.Y. Penal Law § 265.00(23); § 265.02(8) (SAFE Act)Read at FindLaw ↗, not the statuteChecked 11 days ago
How the state governs guns2
Can a city here write its own gun rules on top of the state's?
Full preemption means state law is the only law. Partial means some cities may go further. Check locally.
Sometimes, check the city
New York City is effectively its own jurisdiction: it licenses separately, and a New York State license does not authorize you to carry there. Treat the city as a different state.
Does this state have a red-flag law?
An extreme risk protection order lets a court order firearms surrendered temporarily.
Yes, this state has one
Extreme Risk Protection Order. Family, police, a district attorney or a school administrator may petition.
In force since August 24, 2019.
◆ RECIPROCITY
Permits New York honors
If you are visiting New York, this is whether your permit counts here.
Pick a state for the full answer with its citation, or find it in the grid below.
Not honored54
◆ RECIPROCITY, THE OTHER WAY
Where New York permits are honored
If you live in New York, this is where your permit travels.
Pick a state for the full answer with its citation, or find it in the grid below.
Honored31
Honored, with a condition1
Not honored22
◆ NFA ITEMS
Suppressors and NFA legality
Federal registration is required everywhere these are legal. A state can prohibit them regardless, and several do.
Can I possess a suppressor here?
Federal NFA registration is required everywhere it is legal. State law can prohibit it regardless.
Prohibited
Prohibited. Federal NFA registration is not a defense.
Can I possess a short-barreled rifle here?
Prohibited
Can I possess a short-barreled shotgun here?
Prohibited
Can I possess a machine gun here?
Federally, civilian possession is limited to pre-1986 registered transferables.
Prohibited
Can I possess an AOW here?
Prohibited
A disguised gun is a FELONY to possess in New York, and the federal stamp is no defense. This is the one NFA category New York bans by name.
◆ SOURCES
Where this comes from
This is information, not legal advice. Gun law changes often and the penalty for getting it wrong is criminal. Confirm every answer with the state before you carry there.
- The authority
- the licensing officer for your county or city ↗
- ATF’s index
- New York firearm statutes ↗ (PDF)