Do I need a license to possess a pistol or revolver in New York City or State?
Yes. You are still required to have a license to possess a pistol or revolver.* Nothing in the recent United States Supreme Court decision changes this fact.
What are the most common types of licenses for a pistol or revolver in New York City or State?
The two most common licenses for a pistol or revolver are a license to “have and possess” and a license to “have and carry concealed.”
- A “have and possess” license is commonly referred to as a “premises license,” which authorizes the license holder to possess a firearm at a certain location such as their home or place of business
- A “have and carry concealed” license is commonly referred to as a “concealed carry license,” which authorizes the license holder to carry a pistol or revolver on their person.
Are the terms “license” or “permit” the same?
Yes. The terms license and permit are used interchangeably.
What are the new requirements to obtain a concealed carry license?
The new requirements to obtain a concealed carry license are:
- Proof of completion of a firearms safety training course. Approved Training Course
- Four character references;
- A list of former and current social media accounts for the last three years;
- Disclosure of applicant’s spouse or domestic partner, any other adults residing in the applicant’s home, including any adult children of the applicant, and
- An in-person interview of the applicant with the licensing officer/designee.
For more information, please visit the State Police’s Firearm webpage or contact your county/local licensing officer.
How and when do I apply for a firearm license?
You can apply for a firearm license to your county/local licensing officer at any time. Please visit State Police’s Firearm webpage for more information on how to apply for a pistol or revolver license.
Am I required to show a need for self-defense to get a pistol or revolver license?
No. You are not required to show a need for self-defense to get a pistol or revolver license.
Are retired law enforcement officers required to apply for a concealed carry license?
Yes. Retired law enforcement officials will need to apply for a concealed carry license.
What is the difference between renewal and recertification of my pistol or revolver license?
A pistol or revolver license issued by New York City or Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties expires and needs to be renewed every 3 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 3 years for a concealed carry license and every 5 years for other types of licenses.
How does the new law impact the recertification due date of my pistol or revolver license?
If you have a New York State concealed carry license, you are now required to submit your recertification to the New York State Police every 3 years after issuance instead of 5 years.
The new law does not change the recertification requirements for a premises license, which must be recertified every 5 years.
How does the new law impact the renewal of my New York City or State pistol or revolver license?
A concealed carry pistol or revolver license issued by New York City, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties now expires every 3 years.
Who is required to take the new firearm safety training course?
Any individual who seeks to obtain a concealed carry license for a pistol or revolver will be required to take the 16-hour classroom and 2-hour live-fire firearm safety training course. This will be required for concealed carry licenses issued on or after September 1, 2022.
Individuals renewing their license in New York City or Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties must complete the training.
Where will I take the required firearm safety training course? How much will it cost?
The firearm safety training course will be provided by authorized instructors, in accordance with standards published by the New York State Police and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Training costs and locations will be set by the instructor.
When will I need to take the firearm safety training course?
Proof of completion of the firearm safety training course is required to obtain a concealed carry license on or after September 1, 2022.
Local licensing officers have the discretion to determine whether a portion or all of the firearms training requirement is satisfied for those applicants who completed a firearm safety course in the previous 5 years.
Do I need to take the firearm safety training course if I already have a concealed carry license that was issued outside of New York City or Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties?
No. Existing concealed carry pistol or revolver license holders with licenses that were issued outside of New York City or Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties are not required to take the firearm safety training course.
If I am renewing my concealed carry license in a jurisdiction where it has an expiration date, (i.e., New York City, and Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties) will I need to take the firearm safety training course before renewing?
Yes. An individual seeking to renew a concealed carry license on or after September 1, 2022, will need to complete the firearm safety training course.
Local licensing officers have the discretion to determine whether a portion or all of the firearms training requirement is satisfied for those applicants who completed a firearm safety course in the previous 5 years.
If I have an existing concealed carry license that was issued outside of New York City or Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties and I am recertifying it with the New York State Police, will I need to take the firearm safety training course before recertifying?
No. The firearm safety training course is not required to recertify your concealed carry license with the State Police.
If I only want a firearm in my residence and do not want to carry concealed, do I still have to take the firearm safety training?
No. Premises license holders are not required to take the firearm safety training course. The firearm safety training course requirement applies to concealed carry licenses.
Are active or retired law enforcement or former military personnel exempt from having to take the firearm safety training course?
The firearm safety training requirements apply to all applicants for a concealed carry license. This includes retired law enforcement and former military personnel. Local licensing officers have the discretion to determine whether a portion or all of the firearms training requirement is satisfied for those applicants who completed a firearm safety course in the previous 5 years.
Further, local licensing officers may satisfy the training requirement for active or retired military personnel or law enforcement officers who received firearm training, in excess of the standards set forth for the firearm safety training course, as a component of their service or profession (e.g., the New York State Basic Course for Police Officers).
What are the places, under the new law, where I cannot bring a firearm, rifle, or shotgun?
Effective September 1, 2022, the possession of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun is prohibited in sensitive locations. Under the law, the following are considered sensitive locations:
- Any location owned or under control of federal, state, or local government for the purpose of government administration, including courts;
- Any location providing health, behavioral health, or chemical dependence care or services;
- Places of worship or religious observation;
- Libraries, public playgrounds, public parks, and zoos;
- NYS Office of Children and Family Service licensed or funded facilities (childcare facilities);
- Nursery schools, preschools, summer camps;
- NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities licensed or funded facilities;
- NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports licensed or funded facilities;
- NYS Office of Mental Health licensed or funded facilities;
- NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance licensed or funded facilities;
- Homeless shelters, family shelters, domestic violence shelters;
- NYS Department of Health licensed or funded residential facilities;
- Colleges, universities, private schools, public schools, and other educational institutions;
- Public transportation and transit facilities;
- Bars and restaurants serving alcohol, and on-premises cannabis consumption locations;
- Theaters, stadiums, racetracks, museums, amusement parks, performance venues, concert halls, exhibit halls, conference centers, banquet halls, gaming facilities, video lottery terminal facilities as licensed by the gaming commission;
- Polling places;
- Public sidewalks and other public areas that are restricted from general public access for a limited time or special event;
- Gatherings of people to collectively express their constitutional rights to assemble or protest; and
- Times Square (with boundaries determined by New York City).
If I have a concealed carry license, can I carry my pistol or revolver to sensitive locations?
No. Subject to exceptions for certain individuals (see Question 25), Penal Law §265.01-e prohibits bringing any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun or any other firearm to a sensitive location – even if you have a concealed carry license.
Are individuals who have a premises license now able to carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside their home?
No. You would need to obtain a concealed carry license. You cannot legally carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside of your home in New York State if you only have a premises license, which only allows you to possess a pistol or revolver in your home or place of business.
Is it a crime to enter another person’s property, also known as a “restricted location” under the law, with a firearm, rifle, or shotgun without the owner’s or lessee’s consent?
Subject to exemptions for certain individuals, you can only enter another person’s property with a firearm, rifle, or shotgun when the owner or lessee has specifically posted that it allowed, or the owner or lessee has expressly consented. Consent to carry must be reflected by clear and conspicuous signage or express verbal consent from the owner or lessee. (Penal Law § 265.01-d)
How does the new law impact transporting guns in a vehicle?
Effective September 1, 2022, if you leave your gun unattended in a vehicle, it must be unloaded and locked in a fire, impact, and tamper resistant storage depository that is hidden from view. Glove compartments and glove boxes are not appropriate safe storage depositories. A plastic or aluminum, lockable, hard-sided, gun case or safe will suffice for this purpose. If an adult remains with the vehicle to ensure security, a case or safe is not required. To prevent theft and ensure safety, it is always recommended that firearms be secured during transport.
Local rules for traveling with firearms also apply and may be more restrictive. For example, New York City requires that all guns be unloaded, in a case, and out of sight, even when you are with the vehicle (Penal Law § 265.45).
How am I required to store my guns in my home?
If anyone younger than 18 years old or anyone who is prohibited from possessing a gun resides in the home, all firearms, rifles, and shotguns not in your immediate control must either be:
- secured with a gun locking device (trigger lock or cable lock) that makes them incapable of being accessed or fired by the prohibited individual, or
- locked securely in a safe or secure container that is fire, impact, and tamper resistant and which is locked using a key, keypad, or combination.
Overview
A firearms license is a state license however it is issued under the authority of county licensing officers. An applicant must decide what type of license will be sought.
The most common types of firearm licenses are:
- Carry concealed
- Possess on Premises
- Possess/Carry During Employment
The cost of a license varies by county, and you should expect it to take a minimum of four months from the time of application until a license is either granted or denied.
Eligibility
To be eligible to have a firearms license you:
- Must be a New York State resident
- Must be 21 years old
- Have no prior felony or serious offense convictions
- Be of good moral character
- Have a legally recognized reason for wanting to possess or carry a firearm
- Be ready to open the business for which the license is being applied
Apply
You must apply in the county in which you live or are principally employed.
- In Upstate New York apply to the County Court through the office of the court clerk, county clerk or sheriff.
- In New York City, Nassau County and most of Suffolk County apply to the police commissioner.
- In eastern towns of Suffolk County apply to the Sheriff.
To complete the State of New York Pistol/Revolver License Application (PPB3), you will need to provide:
- Personal information such as your:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
- Physical Description
- Criminal History
- Mental Health History
- Character References
- You will also need to provide a form of identification
What was the United States Supreme Court’s ruling about New York State’s “concealed carry” law?
- On June 23, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling struck down a more than 100 year old law that required an individual to demonstrate “proper cause” in order to be able to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
- According to the ruling, New York State’s existing law has been deemed unconstitutional because it gives too much discretion to the State and its licensing officers in determining “proper cause.”
Privacy
The NYSAFE Act protects the privacy of pistol license holder:
- If you do not want your information released publicly, you can notify your County Clerk.
- You must complete a NYS Firearms License Request for Public Records Exemption form
To complete the Request for Public Records Exemption form:
- In the first section:
- Enter your name, date of birth, address and the county in which you are applying.
- If you hold a firearms license, provide your license number.
- In the second section:
- Check the box that best describes the reason your information should not be publicly disclosed.
- Sign and date the form.
- Submit the form by taking it to your local licensing office.
