Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Concealed Carry in New York.’ Guns in Public. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 22 December
Relevant contents
Concealed Weapons Permitting in New York
New York prohibits the possession of a loaded handgun, short-barreled shotgun or rifle, or a loaded or unloaded assault weapon outside of the home or place of business without a license. The term "loaded firearm" includes any firearm possessed by a person who also possesses any ammunition which may be discharged by the firearm, whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded.
New York is a "may issue" state, meaning that local law enforcement has discretion in determining whether to issue a concealed weapons license to an applicant. A license to carry a concealed handgun may be granted by the appropriate licensing authority on the same basis as a license to possess a handgun (…), except that those seeking to carry a handgun without regard to employment or place of possession must show "proper cause."
Licenses to carry a handgun held by persons who are later convicted of a felony or serious offense are automatically revoked upon conviction. In certain situations, a court issuing a domestic violence order of protection or finding that an individual violated an order of protection must revoke the individual's license to carry a handgun or, if none exists, order the individual ineligible for a license.
Firearm Safety Training
New York does not generally require applicants for a license to carry a handgun to undergo firearm safety training. However, in the county of Westchester, at the time of application, the licensing officer to which the license application is made must provide a copy of the safety course booklet to each license applicant. Before the license is issued, the licensing officer must require that the applicant submit a certificate of successful completion of a firearms safety course and test affirmed by a duly authorized instructor. Note that these requirements apply to all handgun licensees in the county of Westchester, not just those for a license to carry a handgun.
Duration & Renewal
Licenses are generally valid until revoked, but have a fixed duration in New York City (three years) and in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties (five years).
Disclosure or Use of Information
New York has no specific laws relating to the disclosure or use of information collected from licensees and applicants.
Reciprocity
No relevant statutes currently exist, indicating that New York does not recognize concealed weapons permits issued in other states…
[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]