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New York has a May-issue policy for pistol licenses in the state. Local counties are in charge of issuing the permit based on discretion.

The application process for New York CCW permit differs because there are various types of licenses issued by different counties.

However, you must meet all requirements of the New York gun laws before you are allowed to apply for these permits.

New York Gun Laws

You can conceal carry in New York with the New York Pistol License that serves as the state’s CCW permit.

But you have to be at least twenty-one years old before you can make a New York concealed carry permit application, with exemption to only members of the military.

You must have a unique self protection need for obtaining your concealed carry permit. [Updated See Below]

New York only issues permits to residents, per time residents, and those whose place of employment is in the state.

There are also several local laws governing the possession of firearms in New York.

Also, the state does require a firearm training before you can conceal carry.

New York concealed carry permits are of various types, but the common one issued by most counties will allow you to possess your firearm in most places.

[Updated August 25th, 2022] Previously, you had to have a unique need for obtaining your concealed carry permit. However, in 2022 the Supreme Court overturned the Sullivan Act which caused severe limitations for individuals looking to conceal carry in the state. Starting September 1st, law-abiding citizens, that have a gun storage solution, and who seek our training will become eligible for a concealed carry license. This even includes areas of New York City.

New York CCW Permit Reciprocity

New York does not have a reciprocity deal with any other state; hence it does not honor a CCW permit from states in the country.

Yet, you cannot possess a firearm within the territory of the state without validation.

Other things you should know about reciprocity in New York include the following:

  • States that will honor a CCW permit from New York: You can conceal carry with your New York CCW permit in these states. There are ten of them.
  • State that has restricted reciprocity with New York: Michigan will allow you to conceal carry within the state’s territory if you are a full resident of New York, and you have a New York CCW permit to show for it. This does not include those that have a permit based on being partial residents.
  • States that have a permitless policy: You can legally possess a firearm in these states without a CCW permit. But you must meet the minimum age requirements to do so. There are fourteen of them.

Before you can conceal carry in other states, even if they accept New York CCW permit or not, you have to be familiar with their gun laws.

Make sure you handle your firearms according to their gun law requirements, and you respect other restrictions stated by these laws.

New York Location Restriction For Possession Of Firearms

Even with your New York Pistol License, you are not allowed to conceal carry in every location of the state.

These places are defined by New York gun Laws as off-limits; hence you can get arrested for possessing your firearms there.

Places Where You Can’t Conceal Carry In New York

  • You cannot conceal carry in buildings or within premises of schools, technical institutions, colleges, and universities.
  • You cannot conceal carry in places used for children facilities or daycare centers.
  • You cannot conceal carry in state parks except when you are permitted to do so for hunting reasons.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in places like the Liberty island and the monument for the statue of liberty.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in a campground meant for the general public, except during hunting in the spring season.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in the Zoar valley multipurpose area except it is during the hunting season.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in some specific areas of the Adirondack mountain reserve.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in courtyards and courthouses.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any mental health facility, except you have permission from those in charge.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in bars or any restaurants that serve alcohol.
  • You cannot conceal carry within government buildings and properties in some cities and counties of New York.
  • You cannot conceal carry in airports.
  • You cannot conceal carry within any city in New York except you have a permit from the head of police in that city.
  • You cannot conceal carry in places that have signage or posts that prohibits the possession of firearms within their premises.
  • You cannot conceal carry in any place that the possession of firearms is not allowed by the federal laws of the United States.
  • As of September 1, 2022, Time Square is considered a gun-free zone. Even with a license, you will not be able to enter with a firearm unless specially authorized by law.

Places Where You Can Conceal Carry In New York

There are a lot of misconceptions about places where you can conceal carry in New York, and you must know that the gun law of the state does not restrict these under listed places.

  • Some Restaurants: Since September 1, 2022, restaurants that don’t sell alcohol can give visitors permission to carry a gun by putting up a sign or telling them verbally. People can only bring the gun in if they have a concealed carry permit issued by the state.
  • Private Vehicle: You can conceal carry in your private car, but you must be with your New York CCW permit at all times. Even though it is illegal to possess a loaded gun in your vehicle without the New York Pistol License, you are allowed to transport your firearm through the state of New York. Still, the gun must be locked in its safe or holster.
  • Forest areas of New York College of Environmental Science: You can conceal carry here with your CCW permit.

Conceal Carry For Law Enforcement Officers In New York

The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act allows officers of the law to possess firearms in all jurisdictions of the United States without any location restriction or limitation by state and local laws.

This act covers active and retired officers in the country. However, the case is usually quite different for retired and out of service officers. 

They must meet the requirements provided by LEOSA before they can conceal carry.

In New York, only retired officers that reside in the state and have the required certification, according to LEOSA, will be allowed to conceal carry.

A certified LEOSA instructor of the state oversees this qualification process, and the officers can confirm the qualification process from their county of residence.

Most county requirements for retired officers include the following:

  • A New York pistol permit or a card issued by LEOSA.
  • An identification card issued by the law enforcement agency where the officer retired.
  • A notarized affidavit.

Buying And Selling Of Firearms In New York

Just like every aspect of gun laws in New York, there are stringent policies that you must abide by before buying, selling, transporting, and transferring firearms in the state.

Firearms Purchase Permits And Registrations In New York

You need a purchase permit before you can buy handguns in New York. However, you do not need a permit for long guns.

Furthermore, all handguns purchased in the state must be registered before sales are complete. But there are no registrations for shotguns.

Your New York Pistol License will also identify your handgun in terms of the caliber, the model, the serial number, and the manufacturer’s name.

The permit will carry information such as if the handgun can be concealed carry by the holder, or meant for specific locations.

You can also amend your CCW permits if you purchase a new firearm, or you want to remove an existing one from the permit.

Criminal Record Background Check In New York

Before you purchase a firearm in New York, the licensed dealer must complete a background check, provide proof of the check to the New York State Department, and keep a record of the sales.

Also, before you can transfer a firearm in New York, you must notify the state police department or your local law enforcement agency by writing.

This does not include a transfer between immediate family members.

Note that your New York Pistol License does not exempt you from the criminal record background check before buying a handgun.

Waiting Period For Buying Firearms In New York

Every handgun buyer in New York must obtain a New York Pistol License that serves as the CCW permit in the state.

Processing the permit requires up to six months.

Also, in September of year two thousand and nineteen, New York passed a law that the completion of firearms sales can only take place thirty days after the background check.

This is to solve the issue of delayed results for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Age Requirement To Possess Firearms In New York

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you can possess or transport firearms in New York.

Possession Of Firearms In Private Properties

You do not require a New York CCW permit to possess a firearm in your home or any property that you own.

Process For Purchasing Handgun In New York

One primary requirement for purchasing firearms in New York is the NICS background check. This also includes the exchange or disposal of guns.

The only exception to this is the transfer of a firearm between family members.

Before you can buy a firearm, you need to provide a purchase permit to the dealer.

You can apply for a purchase permit from the pistol license section in your local county.

The details that you must provide before the county issues a permit to you includes the following:

  • The make of your gun
  • The model of your gun
  • The gun-type
  • The gun caliber
  • The serial number of the gun
  • Proof of completed NICS background check from the licensed dealer.

Note that the background record check carries extra charges. This may be as much as ten dollars

All dealers are to keep a record of their transactions, and this must be accessible at all times by law enforcement officers.

In New York, a purchase permit is valid for just twenty days. Within this period, you must submit your firearm at the licensing unit for further inspection and entry into the state’s database.

Castle Doctrine In New York

The castle doctrine law in New York is a self-defense law that allows you to stand your ground in the face of an attack when you are in your safe territory.

So, the castle doctrine law allows the use of excessive force for self-protection as long as you are in your home of residence, and you are not the invoker or the instigator of the attack.

The law states that when a person who is in control, licensed or privileged to be in a building or dwelling place has any reason to believe that an intruder is trying to break in, then he or she can use a deadly force deemed necessary to stop such an attack.

However, in New York, you have to retreat from such an attack if you feel that it is safe to do so or when you are not in your dwelling place.

New York CCW Permit Requirements.

You must meet all New York concealed carry permit requirements before applying for the pistol license.

The requirements include the following:

  • You must be at least twenty-one years old.
  • You must be a legal citizen of the United States of America.
  • You must be of good moral character.
  • Meet in person with a licensing officer for interview
  • Provide 4 character references
  • Potential list of social media accounts depending on licensing officer
  • Must attend 16 hours of in-person training, which includes 2 hours of live range training
  • You must be a resident of New York or own a business in the state.
  • In some counties, you must complete a New York concealed carry permit class for firearm training; an example is Westchester.
  • You must not be a felony or convicted for any other serious crime.
  • You must not have been convicted of any of these offences in the past 5 years: driving under the influence (DUI), third degree assault, and menacing
  • You must not be a fugitive.
  • You must not have any judge protection order in your name.
  • You must not be a narcotic or an addict to hard drugs and controlled substances.
  • You must not be mentally impaired in such a way that it would affect your possession of a firearm.
  • You must not have a previously revoked license.
  • You must not be a convict of any misdemeanor crime that has to do with domestic violence.
  • You must meet all federal laws required for concealed carry permit applications.

How To Apply For New York CCW Permit

If you meet all the stated requirements, the next step in New York concealed carry permit application.

The process to complete this includes the following:

  • Download the application form.
  • Complete the form and provide four references.
  • Submit two passport photographs.
  • Go to your county office or courtroom to submit your application. Also, provide your fingerprints.
  • Undergo the state’s police investigation and an interview by the FBI.
  • A judge, county sheriff, or commissioner of police will either accept or approve the application, based on your county of residence.
  • Receive approval or rejection mail.

New York Concealed Carry FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about concealed carry in New York.

How Long Is New York CCW Permit Valid For?

CCW permits in New York do not expire. However, there is a recertification process every five years.

What Is The Minimum Age To Conceal Carry In New York?

Twenty-one years old.

How Much New York Concealed Carry Permit Application?

The amount for CCW permit application varies by counties. But most of them cost twenty dollars for the initial application and ten dollars for recertification.

How Long Does It Take To Get My New York Pistol License?

The processing period for New York CCW Permit is six months.

Additional Resources

New York Gun Laws
New York Open Carry Laws
New York Gun Permit Laws

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