New York City Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No more than 7 to 10 rounds. It's complicated, with U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny in Erie County & the 2nd Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals rulings striking down the component that had made it illegal for individuals to load more than 7 rounds of ammunition into a magazine capable of holding 10 rounds. However, the law hasn't been changed.

New York prohibits the manufacture, transportation, disposal and possession of any large capacity ammunition feeding device, which New York law defines as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip or similar device that:

• Has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
• Contains more than 7 rounds of ammunition; or
• Is obtained after January 15, 2013 and has a capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept more than 7 rounds of ammunition.

There are exceptions for attached tubular devices designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition or a feeding device that is a curio or relic. There are also grandfather provisions for devices that have the capacity of, or that can be converted to accept, 8-10 rounds, so long as they were lawfully possessed prior to January 15, 2013, and do not actually contain more than seven rounds of ammunition.

[NY Pen. Code § 265.00(23)]
[NY Pen. Code § 265.02(8)]

No. New York City does not allow constitutional carry.

Although open carry is not directly mentioned, New York City prohibits the possession of a “loaded” handgun outside of the home or place of business without a carry license. The term “loaded” includes any firearm possessed by a person who also possesses any ammunition which may be discharged by the firearm, whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded.

Yes. Based on a U.S. District Court ruling, stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license as of 4/2019.

Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition and any bullets containing an explosive substance designed to explode or detonate upon impact are prohibited. An ammunition seller or firearms dealer may not transfer any ammunition to anyone other than a licensed dealer unless he or she conducts a check against records maintained in the state’s electronic database and receives a number identifying the transaction and signifying that the transferee is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm or ammunition. The ammunition seller or gun dealer must also check a valid driver’s license or other photo identification of the prospective purchaser prior to transfer.

[N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(18) and 265.01(7) and 265.01(8)]

No. On July 1st, 2022, Gov. Hochul signed legislation banning the carrying of firearms in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol. 

New York City 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.

No. Not mentioned in state statutes.

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.

No definition of brandishing was found in New York City law. However, a person is guilty of menacing in the second degree when he or she intentionally places or attempts to place another person in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by displaying a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm.

[N.Y. Penal Law § 120.14]

A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior.

[N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20]

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. Some counties, New York City, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo have enacted magazine limits and more restrictive gun laws for long guns.

[NY Pen. Law § 400.00(6)]

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

[NY Pen. Law § 400.00(1)(a)]

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 law enforcement in New York City or  Nassau or Suffolk counties (whichever is appropriate).

There is an exception for transfers between immediate family members. 

Yes. A concealed carry license is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm in the person's home or place of business. 

[NY Penal Law §§ 265.03(3)].

Yes. Pistol permits are prerequisites to purchase handguns and long guns. To buy a gun in New York City, you must first obtain a New York City Pistol License. After you have been interviewed and approved, you can then purchase a handgun from any licensed handgun dealer. After you have purchased your new handgun, you will be required to return to the License Division with your new handgun to have the handgun's make, model, and serial number recorded on your license.

Link to Register/Create a profile.
Link to Application Instructions.

Complete an Address/Employment Change Report within 10 days. Submit the form along with a recent utility bill for the current address. Failure to report an address change within 10 days may result in the suspension/revocation of your license. See the form for detailed information regarding the various License types.

Moving to New York and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?
New York issues licenses to residents, part-time residents and anyone who is principally employed or has his principal place of business in NYC. You can apply for your license to the NYPD License Division once you have established your residence or business in the city.

Moving from NYC and have a NYC resident pistol license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your New York license remains valid?
If a person with a NYC pistol license establishes residency in another state, the pistol license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state. Business licenses expire if employment is terminated or the business relocates outside of the city.

Up to 6 months 

Part-time NY City residents or anyone who is principally employed or has his or her principal place of business within New York City can apply using the same process are residents.

New York City has five types of pistol licenses available. As of July 16, 2019 Bill A7752 was passed resulting in NYPL 400(6) being amended to allow a licensee to 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.

There types of NYC licenses including the following:

Premises License - This is a restricted type of license issued for your residence or business. The licensee may possess a handgun ONLY on the premises of the address indicated on the front of the license. Licensees may also 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.

Carry Business License - This license permits the carrying of a handgun concealed on the person valid for the business name, address and handguns listed on the license. 

Limited Carry Business License - The licensee may only carry the handgun indicated on the license in accordance with the specific limitations listed on the license. At all other times, the handgun must be safeguarded within the confines of the address listed on the front of the license stored unloaded in a locked safe.

Special Carry License - This license is valid for the business name, address and handguns listed on the license, only while the licensee has in his possession a valid carry county license issued according to the provisions of article 400 of the N.Y.S. Penal law. 

Carry Guard License - Applications for this type of license must be made with the documentation provided by a company's gun custodian. It is issued only for the handgun listed on the license and only carried while the licensee is actively engaged in employment for the company whose name appears on the license and/or while licensee is in transit directly to or from residence and place of employment. At all other times, the handgun must be stored unloaded in a locked container, at either the address on the license or at the employee's legal residence.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? No.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No. It is illegal to possess a loaded firearm in any motor vehicle without a valid NYPL. It is legal to transport a legal firearm through New York under Federal interstate transportation law 18 USC § 926A provided the handgun is unloaded, with neither the firearm nor any ammunition readily accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. If you don't have a NYPL and happen to stop at a motel overnight, then you are in violation of the law and subject to arrest if found with a firearm. You are not permitted to stop in NYC.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? No.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? No.
• Carry in Forestry Lands owned by State University of New York College of environmental science and forestry? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

The circumstances surrounding the carrying of the knife is what makes its possession illegal. New York City administrative code asserts that any knife carried openly is illegal unless it is being used for or transported immediately to or from a place where it is used for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or any employment, trade or occupation customarily requiring the use of such knife.

The following are circumstances which make carrying a knife illegal:

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.

It is illegal to sell folding knives with a blade length of 4 or more inches that when opened are locked in an open position and cannot be closed without depressing or moving a release mechanism. 

[NYC Admin. Code 10-133, 10-134 & NY MTA Rules Section 1050.8]