State · NY
New York gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at New York's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds) · “assault weapon” ban
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedChapter 55 of 2026 (signed May 27, 2026): the 3D-printed firearm code offenses and most convertible-pistol provisions took effect Aug. 25, 2026, and the convertible-pistol sales ban for dealers and gunsmiths applies from May 31, 2027. These effective dates were confirmed through secondary summaries of the enacted text.
- Recently changedTwo laws signed Oct. 21, 2026. S.7236 (in effect now) makes the ammunition background check deny anyone barred from having a rifle or shotgun under state or federal law, or by an extreme risk protection order. 'Francesco's Law' (A.1962-B) requires every gun owner, not just those living with children or prohibited people, to lock up a firearm, rifle or shotgun that isn't in their immediate possession or control; its storage rules take effect on the 90th day after signing (Jan. 19, 2027 by our count).
- In courtBody armor: in Heeter v. James (Oct. 21, 2026) a federal judge in the Western District of New York held the ban on buying and selling body armor unconstitutional and permanently barred the state and two named district attorneys from enforcing it, but put the order on hold for 14 days so the state can appeal. Until that changes, the ban remains enforceable.
- In courtLitigation over the CCIA's sensitive places continues, and Wolford v. Lopez may affect the private-property default rule.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- Yes. You need a county pistol license to buy or possess a handgun.
- Long guns
- Semi-automatic rifles require a license (21 and older, since 2022); no permit for other long guns.
Registration#
- Yes for handguns (they're listed on your license); 'assault weapons' owned before 2013 had to be registered.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue after Bruen (the Concealed Carry Improvement Act), but with a 'good moral character' review, 16+2 hours of training, and broad sensitive places.
- Open carry
- Prohibited.
- Reciprocity
- Doesn't honor other states' carry permits; visitors need a nonresident permit, where one is available.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- Yes (the SAFE Act).
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds.
Waiting period#
- No fixed waiting period, but the license process can take months, and dealers may hold a sale up to 30 days when a NICS check is delayed.
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes, universal.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Prohibited.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Prohibited.
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. New York's own restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change state law.
Ammunition#
- Yes. There's a state background check at every ammunition purchase (since Sept. 2023), and sales go through registered ammunition dealers. Since Oct. 21, 2026, the check must also turn down anyone who is barred from having a rifle or shotgun under New York or federal law, or by an extreme risk protection order (S.7236).
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21 for semi-automatic rifles; 18 for other long guns.
Shipping and buying online#
- Ammunition must ship to a NY licensed dealer, not to your home. Magazines over 10 rounds and 'assault weapon' features are restricted, body armor sales are restricted (a federal judge ruled that ban unconstitutional on Oct. 21, 2026, but put the order on hold; see the note below), and NYC has stricter rules. The 2026 budget law (Chapter 55) adds rules on 3D printing and 'convertible pistols' from Aug. 25, 2026.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in New York. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Open (1)
Heeter v. James (body armor purchase ban)
No. 1:24-cv-00623 · U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Status:
A federal judge ruled that body armor is an 'arm' protected by the Second Amendment and that New York's ban on most people buying it is unconstitutional. The judge permanently barred the Attorney General, the State Police and the two named district attorneys (Erie and Monroe counties) from enforcing the purchase and sale ban, but put that order on hold for 14 days so the state can appeal.
What it would change: If the order takes effect and holds up on appeal, the state couldn't enforce its ban on buying and selling body armor. District attorneys outside Erie and Monroe counties aren't named in the order, though. While the stay lasts, the ban remains enforceable.
Next key date: 14-day stay of the injunction ends, unless extended,
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources:CourtListener docket - Heeter v. James, No. 1:24-cv-00623 (W.D.N.Y.) ↗
Added · Last checked
Recently resolved (4)
'Francesco's Law': safe storage in every home
A.1962-B / S.9629 · New York Legislature
Status:
New York already required safe storage in homes with children or people who can't legally have guns. This law makes it the rule everywhere: when a firearm, rifle or shotgun isn't in your immediate possession or control, it has to be locked in an appropriate safe-storage container or disabled with a locking device. A basic storage failure becomes a violation, and it's a class A misdemeanor if a minor or prohibited person actually gets access to an improperly stored gun.
What it changed: Gun owners in every New York household will need to lock up firearms they aren't carrying or controlling. The storage provisions take effect on the 90th day after signing (Jan. 19, 2027 by our count).
Outcome: Signed Oct. 21, 2026; the storage rules apply from the 90th day after signing.
Next key date: Storage provisions take effect (90th day after signing, by our count),
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources:Governor release: gun safety laws signed (Oct. 21, 2026) ↗NY Assembly - A.1962-B bill text and history ↗
Added · Last checked
S.7236: Ammunition background checks match long-gun prohibitions
S.7236 / A.7943 · New York Legislature
Status:
New York runs a background check on every ammunition purchase. This law says the check must be denied if the buyer can't legally have a rifle or shotgun under New York law, federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)), or a temporary or final extreme risk protection order (a 'red flag' order).
What it changed: Some buyers who are barred from owning long guns under state rules or red-flag orders will now be turned down for ammunition, too.
Outcome: Signed Oct. 21, 2026, effective immediately.
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources:Governor release: gun safety laws signed (Oct. 21, 2026) ↗NY Assembly - S.7236 bill text and history ↗
Added · Last checked
Chapter 55 of 2026 (3D-printed guns and convertible pistols)
S9005C · New York Legislature
Status:
New York's 2026 budget law added offenses involving computer code for 3D-printed guns and new rules for what the law calls convertible pistols.
What it changed: The convertible-pistol sales ban for dealers and gunsmiths applies from May 31, 2027.
Outcome: Signed May 27, 2026; main provisions in effect since Aug. 25, 2026.
Next key date: Dealer and gunsmith sales ban on convertible pistols begins,
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Wolford v. Lopez
No. 24-1046 · U.S. Supreme Court
Status:
The Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's default rule banning carry on private property that's open to the public unless the owner gives permission. Similar rules in other states, such as New York, may be affected.
What it changed: Hawaii's private-property default ban can't be enforced. We haven't verified how the legislature has responded.
Outcome: Hawaii's private-property default rule was struck down June 25, 2026.
Status history (1)
- :
Sources:Wolford v. Lopez opinion (June 25, 2026) ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- NY State Gun Safety · Officialhttps://gunsafety.ny.gov/
- New York State Police - Firearms · Officialhttps://troopers.ny.gov/firearms
- NY Penal Law 400.00 · Officialhttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/400.00
- Governor release: FY27 budget public-safety laws signed (May 27, 2026) · Officialhttps://www.governor.ny.gov/news/keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-signs-legislation-strengthen-public-safety-and-make
- S9005C (Chapter 55 of 2026) · Officialhttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9005/amendment/C
- Governor release: gun safety laws signed (Oct. 21, 2026) · Officialhttps://www.governor.ny.gov/news/keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-signs-commonsense-gun-safety-legislation-reduce
- NY Assembly - A.1962-B (Francesco's Law) text and history · Officialhttps://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A01962&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y
- NY Assembly - S.7236 (ammunition checks) text and history · Officialhttps://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=S07236&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y
- Heeter v. James docket, No. 1:24-cv-00623 (W.D.N.Y.), via CourtListener · Court recordhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68907301/heeter-v-james/
New York entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗supremecourt.gov ↗
Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.