New York City Gun Laws

May 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) New York City has stricter gun laws than the rest of the state. While New York State allows its citizens to purchase rifles and shotguns (but not handguns) without a license or permit, NYC requires every rifle, shotgun and handgun owner to first obtain a license. In addition, a gun owner in NYC must register his or her gun every three years; in contrast, many counties in New York State consider a license to own a gun as valid until revoked.

Handgun Licenses

NYC residents must obtain one of five types of licenses to legally own a handgun in New York:
-Premises License: allows a handgun at the owner's residence or business, but only at the location stated on the license
-Carry Business License: permits a concealed weapon on a person in that person's business name
-Limited Carry Business License: limits the locations and places a person can carry or store a handgun for business
-Special Carry License: allows gun owners who have a license issued by a different New York county to carry a handgun
-Carry Guard License: permits security guards or other safety employees to carry a handgun while at work


The NYPD License Division only grants handgun licenses to people of good moral character who are over 21 years of age, have not been convicted of a serious offense, are not subject to a protective court order and for whom there is no other valid reason to deny a license.

New York Weapons Offenses

Weapons charges are intensely prosecuted in New York. It is a felony offense to own a machine gun or assault weapon in New York. In addition, anyone found in possession of a loaded handgun without a permit in NYC faces a minimum of three-and-a-half years in prison and a maximum of 15 years in jail.

Penalties increase if an individual is accused of brandishing a gun or otherwise threatening to use a gun on another person. People with felony convictions are not allowed to carry handguns at all.

Because the consequences of a weapons charge conviction can be severe, if you are facing weapons charges, contact an experienced New York criminal defense attorney knowledgeable about weapons charges and how to defend against them.

Article provided by Adler & Karliner
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