NYC STATE 16-HOUR CONCEALED CARRY FIREARM
SAFETY COURSE

Summary of New York Gun Laws New York

Summary of New York Gun Laws New York is now a shall-issue state since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the NYSRPA v Bruen on June 23rd, 2022, with concealed weapons licenses issued at the local level by the county sheriff or court system. A permit to purchase, a background check and firearms registration are required to buy a handgun from a private individual in New York. Private sales must be processed by a licensed firearms dealer. It is illegal to possess an unregistered handgun.

Open carry is not addressed in New York state law, although a New York Pistol License (NYPL) is required to possess a loaded handgun outside of the home or place of business.

Concealed carry is only legal with a NYPL. The minimum age is 21, with the exception of honorably discharged members of the military, who can be any age. The application process may differ depending on the type of license and the issuing county. NY doesn’t recognize permits/licenses from any other states and only residents, part-time residents or anyone who is principally employed or has his or her principal place of business can obtain NYPLs. The one exception are pistol licenses from New York City, which are valid statewide. In addition, a NYPL is not valid in the five counties that make up New York City. No handguns can be taken into the city unless New York City has validated your license. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and courthouses.

There are several types of NYPLs available, but the most commonly issued are the concealed carry and possess on premises licenses. Both licenses can be endorsed with restrictions such as only to be carried during hunting or traveling to or from target practice. In terms of reciprocity, New York does not honor permits from any other states. Self-Defense New York has a self-defense law based on the Castle Doctrine. In NY, a citizen has the duty to retreat from attackers if he or she feels one can safely do so.

Use of Physical Force A person may use physical force in self-defense, defense of a third person, in defense of premises, or in order to prevent larceny of or criminal mischief to property. A person may use physical force when the person reasonably believes it to be necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of a crime involving damage to premises, or to prevent or terminate the commission of a criminal trespass, larceny or of criminal mischief with respect to property. Any degree of physical force other than deadly physical force can be used. Use of Deadly Force Deadly force can only be used if the actor reasonably believes that:

• Another person is using or about to use deadly physical force. However, the actor may not use deadly physical force if he or she can retreat with complete personal safety;  except that the actor has no duty to retreat if he or she is in his or her dwelling and not the initial aggressor;  or
• Another person is committing or attempting to commit a kidnapping, forcible rape, forcible criminal sexual act or robbery;  or
• Another person is committing or attempting to commit arson or burglary, and the circumstances are such that the use of deadly physical force is authorized.

[N.Y. Pen. Law §§ 35.10, 35.15, 35.20 and 35.25] *A pistol or revolver license issued by New York City or Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties expires and needs to be renewed every three years. A pistol or revolver license issued outside of those areas does not expire, but the license holder must recertify with the New York State Police every three years for a concealed carry license.

New York Concealed Carry Reciprocity With Other States

Which states’ permits does New York honor?

New York City New York will not honor any other states’ concealed carry licenses. The one exception are pistol licenses from New York City, which are valid statewide.

Other States’ Reciprocity With New York

Which states honor permits from New York?
Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

North Carolina

North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Note: Firearms must be carried in accordance with the laws of the state you are visiting. Be sure to check the laws of the other state before traveling there with your firearms. States That Have Restricted Reciprocity with New York New York offers resident and non-resident (part-time NY State residents or anyone principally employed or with their principal place of business in the state) licenses. If indicated with “Resident only” below, that state only honors New York resident licenses (and not those issued to non-residents).

Alabama (New York City permits not recognized)

Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Florida (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Georgia (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Kentucky (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Louisiana (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Michigan (at least 21 years old and resident permits only)

Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)

Nebraska (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Ohio (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Virginia (at least 21 years old)

West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Wisconsin (at least 21 years old)

Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Permitless Carry States

Alaska (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Arizona (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Florida (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Georgia (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Iowa (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Kansas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Kentucky (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Louisiana (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Maine (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)

Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Nebraska (Permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Ohio (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Oklahoma (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

South Carolina (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Tennessee (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Utah (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

West Virginia (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

Wyoming (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)

*PC-18 = permitless carry if at least 18 years old *PC-21 = permitless carry if at least 21 years old Permitless carry includes constitutional carry states as well as states where an individual must meet certain qualifications, e.g., no DUIs in the last 10 years, in order to legally carry (Tennessee). Each state determines the requirements and any limitations on the carry of firearms. Check each state’s page for more information and any restrictions that may apply.

New York Concealed Carry License Application Process

How to Apply for a New York Concealed Carry License

Step 1: Take a handgun safety course.

Step 2: Download the 1721494250075-2,505[3]1723691923631-4]state application and the form for your county.

Step 3: Complete the forms. You will need to provide 4 character references, a list of former and current social media accounts for the last three years, and information about your spouse or domestic partner and any other adults residing in your home.

Step 4: Have passport-style photographs taken. You will need two photos.

Step 5: Go to your county sheriff or courthouse to submit your application. You will be fingerprinted.

Step 6: You will undergo various background checks by New York State and the FBI, and will be interviewed by local police.

Step 7: Your application is then submitted to one of the licensing judges, police commissioner or sheriff for consideration.

Step 8: You will be notified of your approval or denial. If approved, you can then purchase and/or co-register a handgun. New York State has seven types of restricted pistol licenses available.

The application process may differ depending on the type of license and the issuing county. A licensee may transport their handguns and ammunition in separate locked containers, directly to another residence or place of business where the licensee is authorized to possess the handgun, to and from an authorized range, shooting competition or hunting location. Transport within NYC must be continuous and uninterrupted.

• Premise Dwelling – Have and possess in his dwelling by a householder. Premise Business – Have and possess in his place of business by a merchant or storekeeper.
• Bank or Express Messenger – Have and carry concealed while so employed by a messenger employed by a banking institution or express company.
• Justice of The Supreme Court 1st or 2nd Judicial Dept. or Judge of NYC Civil or Criminal Court – Have and carry concealed by a justice of the supreme court in the first or second judicial departments, or by a judge of the New York City civil court or the New York City criminal court.
• Employee Of Corrections – Have and carry concealed while so employed by a regular employee of an institution of the state, or of any county, city, town or village, under control of a commissioner of correction of the city or any warden, superintendent or head keeper of any state prison, penitentiary, workhouse, county jail or other institution for the detention of persons convicted or accused of crime or held as witnesses in criminal cases, provided that application is made therefore by such commissioner, warden, superintendent or head keeper.
• Proper Cause – Have and carry concealed, without regard to employment or place of possession, by any person when proper cause exists for the issuance thereof.
• Antique Pistols – Have, possess, collect and carry antique pistols which are defined in section 400.00 subd. 2(i)(ii)(1)(2).An unrestricted Pistol license may also be issued which will allow you to carry without restrictions anywhere it is legal to carry your registered handgun unless posted otherwise.

Check with your local authorities for regulations specific to your county.

New York Concealed Carry License Renewal Process

How to Renew a New York Concealed Carry License

Step 1: Recertification is the responsibility of the licensee. The pistol license recertification provision of the SAFE Act was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in 2013.

Its goal is to strengthen and improve the accuracy of record keeping at both the state and local levels. Letters were sent to license holders over a year ago, reminding them of the January 31, 2018, deadline and additional reminders have been made public through the press and social media.

The State Police are now working to process all recertifications and update its database. This process is expected to take between 9-12 months, after which, local licensing authorities will be provided with the updated, accurate licensing information.

As ‎the goal is compliance, the State Police will not take criminal enforcement action ‎against individuals who have unknowingly failed to recertify, instead they will continue to accept recertifications‎ throughout 2018. If you currently have a New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County or Westchester County license, you must follow the requirements that are in place in your county, rather than use the New York State recertification system.

Step 2: Recertification can only be done online. Paper forms are no longer accepted.

Step 3: Complete the form with your updated contact information.