New York Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No. A New York license does not allow carriers to conceal weapons other than handguns,

Although open carry is not directly mentioned, New York State prohibits any state resident without a NY Pistol License, over the age of 21, from possessing a handgun without a valid license.

No. New York does not recognize constitutional carry.

New York is now a shall-issue state.

STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license as of 4/2019.

PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes but highly regulated. Restrictions include:

• Canisters must not exceed 7% oleoresin capsicum and 2 ounces in size.
  
• Must be purchased from a licensed firearms retailer or pharmacist. 
• Anyone under 18 or who is a felon are prohibited.

BEAR SPRAY - NOT legal for personal defense in New York.

BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are illegal to carry or possess in New York. Classified as "dangerous weapons," possession of batons or collapsible batons can lead to criminal charges.

Items such as blackjacks, nunchucks, and slingshots are also prohibited under New York law. 

BRASS KNUCKLES - Illegal under New York law. Brass knuckles are classified as "prohibited weapons," and their possession, manufacture, or sale is strictly banned. Violations can lead to serious criminal charges.

No. Concealed carry is not allowed at roadside rest areas in New York state.

[17 CRR-NY IV C 156.12]

New York statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Oneida Indian Nation - NO

Yes, although gun owners may request that their application information be exempt from public disclosure. However, local and state law enforcement shall have access to such database in the performance of their duties.

Yes for part-time NY State residents or anyone who is principally employed or has his or her principal place of business in the state.

No. Your New York driver’s license is not linked to your New York pistol license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.

Not addressed in state statutes.

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Yes. There is partial preemption primarily for handgun licensing. New York laws confer power upon local governments to adopt laws that relate to, among other things, the “protection, order, conduct, safety, health and well-being of persons or property.” However, local laws may not conflict with the state constitution or general laws. 

[N.Y. Pen. Law § 400.00(6)]

Yes. For firearms transfers between private parties, a licensed dealer must conduct a background check, provide documentation of the check to the New York State Police and keep a record of the transaction. New York law requires anyone who intends to transfer a lawfully possessed handgun to first notify in writing the state police or local law enforcement.

There is an exception for transfers between immediate family members. 

No. A pistol license and background check are required to possess a handgun in New York State.

[N.Y. Penal Law § 400.00(2)]

No.

You must be 21 years old to possess or transport a handgun in New York state.

[N.Y. Pen. Law § 400.00(1)(a)]

New York law requires that a NICS background check be completed by a licensed firearms dealer before the sale, exchange or disposal of any firearm, unless the transaction is between members of an immediate family.

Before taking possession of a firearm you must supply the dealer with a purchase document. These can be obtained from the County Police Pistol License section. Before issuing a purchase document they will require a bill of sale from the dealer which includes the make, model, type, caliber and serial number of the firearm, plus confirmation the purchaser has passed a NCIS background check.

Upon completion of the background check by the licensed dealer, the dealer must finalize a document that confirms that such a check was performed. All dealers must maintain transaction records on their premises and the records must be open at all reasonable hours for inspection by law enforcement. A dealer may charge a fee of up to $10.00 per transaction.

Purchase documents are valid for 20 days. The firearm must be presented to the state licensing unit within that period for inspection so it can be entered into the database.

Link to Application

Application Continuation Sheet

Link to Pistol Fingerprint Form

An applicant must:

• Be 21 years of age or older except there is no minimum age for honorably discharged members of the U.S. military;
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
• Not have been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa;
• Be of good moral character; 
• Reside or maintain a principal place of business within the county in which the application is filed;
• Some counties may require successful completion of a firearms safety course;
• Not have been convicted anywhere of a felony or a serious offense;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not be subject to a protective court order;
• Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance as defined in section 21 U.S.C. 802;
• Be free from any mental disorders, defects or diseases that would impair his or her ability to safely possess or use a firearm;
• Not have had a license revoked or not be under a suspension or ineligibility order;
• Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence;
• Not have been involuntarily committed to a facility under the jurisdiction of an office of the department of mental hygiene;
• In the county of Westchester, have successfully completed a firearms safety course and test as evidenced by a certificate of completion issued in his or her name and endorsed and affirmed under the penalties of perjury by a duly authorized instructor;
• Not have 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;
• Not have good cause that exists for the denial of the license; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of New York.

Initial License $20, varies by county

Recertifications $10, varies by county

3 years

6 months (varies greatly depending on the county)

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.

• Buildings or grounds, used for educational purposes, of any school, college or university [N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.01-a];
• On the grounds of a residential child care facility [18 CRR-NY 441.19(f)];
• In state parks, except for hunting purposes where permitted [9 CRR-NY 375.1];
• Statue Cruises ferry to Ellis Island & Liberty Island, and the Statue of Liberty Nat'l Monument [NPS Security Standards];
• Public campgrounds, except during the spring and fall hunting seasons [6 CRR-NY 190.7(a)(3)];
• Lake George Battlefield Park [6 CRR-NY 190.7(c)(1)];
• Zoar Valley Multiple-Use Area, except during the small-game and big-game hunting seasons [6 CRR-NY 190.25];
• Specified trails on the Adirondack Mountain Reserve [6 CRR-NY 190.28];
• Courthouses;
• Any facility of the Department of Mental Hygiene, or any residential facility which has an operating certificate issued by the department, except with permission of the director of the facility [14 CRR-NY 45.1];
• Government buildings in certain cities and counties;
• Airports;
• Any public transportation (i.e. buses, trains, subway, ferries, etc.);
• Time Square
• Zoos
• Homeless shelters
• Within the city of New York unless a special permit granting validity is issued by the police commissioner of that city; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

Yes. Interference with lawful taking of wildlife, such as hunting, fishing or trapping, is prohibited. This includes travel, camping, and other acts preparatory to taking, which occur on lands or waters upon which the affected person has the right or privilege to take such wildlife.

[N.Y. Cons. Laws ENV § 11-0110]

There is no known statute in New York making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. One state law referring to loitering in public places while congregating with other masked individuals was identified, however it does not address wearing a mask while legally carrying a concealed firearm.

[PEN § 240.35] 

It is legal to openly carry or conceal any legal knife provided there is no intent for unlawful use against another person. It is illegal to own a switchblade, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, cane sword and any knife adapted for use primarily as a weapon in New York. While it is legal for U.S. citizen not previously convicted of any crime to own a gravity knife (as of May 30, 2019), dirk, dagger, dangerous knife, razor or stiletto, it is illegal to carry them with the intent of unlawful use against another. There are knife/weapon limitations and prohibitions for schools, school buses, court facilities, correctional facilities and some airports. New York City has its own laws, which can be viewed on the New York City webpage. A number of other municipalities also have restrictions including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority rules prohibit any weapon, dangerous instrument, or any other item intended for use as a weapon from being carried in or on any facility or conveyance. A weapon or dangerous instrument includes, but is not limited to, a firearm, switchblade knife, gravity knife, boxcutter, straight razor or razor blades that are not wrapped or enclosed in a protective covering and sword. Shotguns and rifles that are unloaded and carried in an enclosed case, box or other container which completely conceals the item from view and identification as a weapon are allowed.

[NY Pen. Code §§ 265.00, 265.01, 265.01-A & NY MTA Rules Section 1050.8]