New York is one of the states with the stringiest gun laws in the United States Of America.

It does not also honor a permit from other states in the country.

To use firearms in New York without violation, you must understand all the state gun laws.

New York Gun Laws Summary

New York issues a New York Pistol License for the possession of handguns in the state.

The local county or court is in charge of the license application.

As a may-issue state, law enforcement has the discretion to either reject or accept an application.

New York issues purchase permits in the state to buy firearms, and every buyer must complete a criminal record background check.

Even with the license to carry a firearm, you are not exempted from the check.

The state does not issue carry licenses, and purchase permits to non-residents. Only residents above twenty-one years old qualify for the application.

Is Open Carry Legal In New York?

No. New York bans open carry in the state, but you can conceal carry a firearm in some counties as long as you have a New York Pistol License.

Open Carry Laws In New York

New York is a non-permissive open carry state. This means that the state prohibits the open carry of loaded firearms.

However, you can still possess firearms in a concealed manner with the state carry license.

There are restrictions to ammunition and firearms you can carry. The state bans armor-piercing ammunition and machine gun firearms.

Only members of the military and law enforcement officers are exempted from this prohibition.

New York Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoNoNew York gun laws prohibit open carry in the state.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoNew York is not an open-carry state.
Assault weapon.NoNoThe use of machine guns and semi-automatic firearms are not legal in the state. The firearms are also not available for sales or purchase.
Magazine limitYesYesThe magazine limit for firearms in the state is seven to ten rounds, and no gun in the state must exceed this. However, counties might also regulate this law.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredThere are no requirements to own a license for a firearm in the state. However, every handgun must undergo registration before usage.
Red flag lawYesYesThe state issues extreme risk protection orders to prohibit an individual deemed a risk from buying, selling, or possessing firearms.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesNew York is a castle doctrine state, and you can stand your ground in your home of residence.
Background check for private dealersYesYesPrivate dealers of firearms must complete the check through federally licensed dealers in the state.
PreemptionYesYesThe state has preemption gun laws, but local governments can regulate the use of firearms within their jurisdiction.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou can conceal carry with your New York state permit.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in a private car as long as you are with your New York Permit to carry firearms
Possession of firearms in SchoolsNoNoThe state prohibits the possession of firearms in any school, college, university, or educational institution.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In New York?

New York gun laws do not prohibit the possession of firearms in the following parts of the state.

  • Restaurants: You can only possess a firearm in a restaurant if the they do not serve any alcoholic beverages and they explicitly tell you verbally, or with signage, that you may carry a firearm.
  • Forestry land of the state university: You can possess your firearms in New York state university environmental science and forestry.
  • Places of worship: The state does not have any gun law prohibiting the possession of firearms in places of worship except those in charge of the place ban guns.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In New York?

You cannot make use of your firearm in the following areas of the state:

  • Schools: You cannot possess firearms on school grounds, colleges, universities, and any other building in the state used for educational activities.
  • Daycare: You cannot possess a firearm in any child care home in the state.
  • State parks: You cannot possess firearms in state parks except if you have a license to hunt in the state.
  • Public campgrounds: You cannot open carry in any public campground in the state, except during hunting.
  • Courthouses: You cannot possess firearms in courthouses in New York or during a court proceeding.
  • Mental home: You cannot possess firearms or make use of a gun in any mental home of New York, except you have permission to do so.
  • Government buildings: You cannot possess firearms in any building owned by the government, either located in cities or countries.
  • Airports: You cannot open carry in airports of the state except.
  • Bars: You cannot possess firearms in any establishment that serves alcohol.
  • Public Transportation: You cannot possess firearms in subways or other public transportation areas.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot possess firearms or open carry in any area of the state prohibited by federal gun laws.

FAQs About Open Carry New York

Some of the most frequently asked questions about open carry in New York include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Open Carry In New York?

No. You cannot open carry in New York with or without a license issued by the state.

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry In New York?

Yes. You need a New York pistol license to conceal carry in the state. However, the license is still not valid in about five counties of New York.

What Is The Age Requirement For Concealed Carry In New York?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to conceal carry any firearm in New York.

What Is The Age Requirement To Apply For New York License To Carry?

The minimum age to apply for New York Permit is twenty-one years old.

Does New York Have Red Flag Law?

Yes, the state issues extreme risk protection orders to prohibit individuals from the possession, sales, and purchase of firearms in the state.

Family members, schools’ management, law enforcement officers, and the attorney of a district can file such a petition.

Is New York Permit To Carry Available For Non-residents?

No. The license is only available to residents of the state, employers in the state, and also part-time residents.

Is New York A Constitutional Carry State?

No. New York does not permit constitutional carry in the state.

Does New York Allow The Open Carry Of Knives In The State?

Yes, you can open carry knives in New York if you do not have any intention to use it for illegal activity or against someone else.

However, the state prohibits the use of other dangerous weapons like switchblades, cane swords, and ballistic knives.

Does New York Have Firearms Restrictions In The State?

Yes. The state bans machine guns and semi-automatic firearms.

You cannot possess, manufacture, sell or buy such firearms in the state except you are a member of the military, a law enforcement officer, or peace officers.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In New York?

Yes, you need a purchase permit to buy handguns in New York. But it is not a requirement for long guns.

Is Criminal Record Background Check Compulsory For Firearm Purchase In New York?

Yes, anyone needs to complete a criminal record check before buying firearms in the state.

Also, private dealers must complete this check through a licensed dealer in the state.

For every firearm purchase, the dealer must provide details of the transaction to the police department and also keep a record of the sales.

Before transferring a firearm in New York, you must first notify the state police department in writing through a local law enforcement agency.

The only exception for background checks while transferring firearms in the one between family members of the state.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In New York?

No. The state does not require anybody to notify a law enforcement officer about his or her possession of firearms when they come across one.

Is New York A Castle Doctrine State?

The state bases its self-defense policy on the castle doctrine, and you have no duty to retreat any attack when you feel that it is safe to do so in your dwelling place.

Is The Use Of Deadly Force Permitted In New York?

While carrying out self-defense in New York, you can make use of deadly force if you think the attack can lead to a deadly injury or imminent death.

However, you must not be the instigator of such an attack.

Must I Undergo Firearm Training Before Applying For New York Gun License?

The state statutes do not require anyone to complete a firearm training before applying for the gun permit.

However, some counties may require a demonstration test before applying for the license.

Must I Register Firearms After Purchase In New York?

Yes, it is compulsory to register every handgun in the state, and this must reflect in the firearm permit.

But there is no requirement to register long gun firearms in the state.

What Is The Age Requirement To Buy Firearms In New York?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to buy or possess a firearm in New York.

Relevant Open Carry Laws And Legislature In New York

Here are some of New York’s gun laws relating to the possession of firearms in the state.

Magazine Limits

New York gun laws ban firearm magazines that have more than seven to ten rounds.

The state also prohibits the production, purchase, sales, and transportation of ammunition that have large capacities including:

Devices that have more than ten ammunition rounds or any device that can be easily converted to take more than such capacity.

Devices that have more than seven rounds ammunition or can be easily converted to take more than that.

Exceptions to this law are devices manufactured before the beginning of twenty-thirteen or twenty-two caliber ammunition.

Ammunition Restrictions

New York has ammunition restriction, and you cannot possess all firearm types.

The state restricts armor-piercing ammunition and explosive bullets. 

No ammunition dealer in the state may sell or transfer such ammunition to a federally licensed dealer without cross-checking to make sure that the dealer can possess the ammunition.

Brandishing Of Firearms

It is unlawful to brandish firearms in New York illegally.

Anybody that unlawfully displays a firearm with an attempt to cause injury or death is guilty of a menace in the second degree.

It is also a crime and improper conduct to cause public violence or apprehension in the state with the use of firearms.

Preemption Law

New York has preemption gun laws in the state, especially for issuing handgun permits.

The state government allows local municipalities to adopt laws and regulate the use of firearms.

But local laws in municipalities do not conflict with the constitutions of the state.

Counties like New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, etc., have laws that restrict the use of long guns in the state.

Red Flag Law

The state has a protection order law that took effect on August twenty-nineteen.

This law allows the petition against possession, purchase, and sales of firearms in the state.

Those that can file these petitions include:

  • Law enforcement officers.
  • Family members.
  • School administrators.
  • Attorneys in districts.

However, only a court of law can uphold the order.

Hunting Laws

You can possess firearms and open carry while hunting in the state, except for bow hunting, where you can only use your archery equipment.

New York has hunter harassment laws to protect hunting activities in the state. They include the following:

You must not interfere or disturb any lawful hunting activity in the state, and this includes trapping and fishing, especially in a hunting season.

The state defines interfering with hunting as the following:

  • Harassing, physically assaulting, or threatening to do so, to a person licensed to take part in a lawful activity.
  • Disturbing the licensed hunter in wildlife by following him or her around while taking part in the hunting activity, or making noise without any reason, to disturb the hunter.
  • Wildlife, as defined by this law, refers to all animals and games in the wild, including fishes in the water where the licensed hunter has the right to take animals.

Additional Resources

New York Gun Laws
New York Concealed Carry Laws
New York Gun Permit Laws

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