We've assembled this page to help you, the responsible gun owner, navigate the plethora of new laws and regulations that were passed over the summer of 2022 (most of which, the majority of New Yorkers are unaware of). We've tried our best to make sense of some of these illogical and complex changes in the law and compile it all in one central location so you don't find yourself in the shoes of us NY Firearm Dealers for the past few months: printing pages from every passed bill, amendment, memo, FAQ pages from state and county websites, spending hours upon hours speaking to legal experts and county/ state officials, all just trying to piece the legal changes together to form one clear picture.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.  No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel.  Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed.  The content on this posting is provided "as is;" no representations are made that the content is error-free.

Please refer to your local county/ licensing officials, NYSP or the legislative packages themselves with any detailed questions.
We're exhausted.
We're also not attorneys. 
VOTE HOCHUL OUT OF OFFICE THIS NOVEMBER 8TH
We're just a local firearms dealer trying to navigate maintaining our business in NY and wanted to share the information we've spent countless hours sifting through with our customers, friends and families.

2022 NYS GUN LAW CHANGES
UPDATES AND BACKGROUND

This past June 2022, NYS passed the 'Concealed Carry Improvement Act'. 
​Portions of which went into effect as early as July and September 2022. That said, there are still components of the law that are slated to be enacted in the future once further processes and systems are established and certified by the Superintendent of New York State Police.
"The Supreme Court struck down New York’s previous concealed carry law on June 23 in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, declaring the law was overly burdensome and violated the Fourteenth Amendment by stopping “law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs” from practicing their Second Amendment right to bear arms. The 6-3 ruling took an expansive view of the Second Amendment, ruling the definition of the right to bear arms includes “carrying handguns publicly for self-defense,” and criticized New York’s law for being overly broad and deeming too many places as “sensitive locations” where guns can’t be carried. New York lawmakers immediately convened a special session to pass new legislation in response to the ruling, and the Concealed Carry Improvement Act was signed into law on July 1, just over a week after Bruen was decided. While the court’s ruling focused on New York, it had further effects on any state with more restrictive concealed carry laws in place that said the state “may issue” licenses, but officers can use discretion and are not obligated to issue them to people."
FORBES; New Gun Laws Take Effect After Supreme Court Struck Down New York’s Last Attempt — Here’s What To Know; Article by: Alison Durkee

AMMUNITION PURCHASES

No later than 30 days after the Superintendent of State Police certifies that the statewide license and record database is operational; firearms dealers and sellers of ammunition will have to collect/record the following information from ALL ammunition purchases in New York State (applicable to all sales; even if purchased by an out of state resident):
  • Date of Sale
  • Ammo Manufacturer/ Type
  • Caliber/Gauge
  • Quantity Purchased
  • Verify Purchaser's ID (Govt Issued Photo ID)
  • Purchaser's Occupation

Ammunition Background checks are scheduled to take effect/ be operational by September 13, 2023.

*At this time there is no requirement for us to maintain records of ammunition sales until the state certifies that the ammunition/ record database is operational*

STATE RUN BACKGROUND CHECKS

This legislation makes the State responsible for the administration/ oversight of background checks relating to gun purchases, establishing New York as a "Point of Contact" state. State background checks can integrate additional essential information into the licensing process, including outstanding felony warrants, mental health records, domestic violence restraining orders, and more updated criminal and disposition records.

NYS "Point of Contact" Background checks are scheduled to take effect July 15, 2023. To Note: There will be pass-through fees associated with facilitating background checks through the State.

SEMI AUTOMATIC RIFLE PERMIT

One of the new, major changes this legislative package brought about was the requirement for a Semi Automatic Rifle License throughout the state. If you already possess a NYS Pistol License, you must submit an amendment form requesting the addendum to your current license. 
  • Now must be 21 years or older to purchase ANY semi-automatic rifle.
  • In order to purchase a semi-automatic rifle AFTER 09/04/2022 - customer MUST provide proof/copy of license at time of sale.
  • Make, model, serial number, etc. are NOT listed on licenses or reported to the counties for purchase approval/ authorization as they are with pistol purchases. 
  • Semi-Automatic Rifles owned prior to the change in law by those under 21 years old or without a semi-automatic rifle license are still permitted to possess/own.
  • Must apply for Semi Auto Rifle Permit through your local county/ licensing officer (the same process and paperwork as you would apply for a pistol license if you do not currently possess an active pistol permit) 

SENSITIVE LOCATIONS: NO FIREARMS

The new measures build on the constitutional carveout for protecting “sensitive places,” barring the carrying of firearms in specific public settings, such as: colleges and universities, hospitals, houses of worship, public transportation, including subways, places where alcohol is consumed, homeless shelters and other public residential facilities, entertainment venues, such as stadiums, theaters, casinos, and polling places, and places where children gather, such as schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, libraries parks and zoos. Click here for the list of defined "sensitive places" where firearms are now explicitly prohibited . 

CERAKOTE - 'TOY GUN' PROHIBITION

Additionally, S.7152/A.6522 amends the definition of “disguised gun” in the state code to include guns that are “designed and intended to appear to be a toy gun.” This law prohibits their manufacture, design, and sale in New York and is apparently aimed at colorful gun finishes popularized by the use of ceramic-based coatings like Cerakote. 
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In light of this, we will not be accepting any projects/works relating to full “themed” projects in which the intent could be misconstrued or misinterpreted by NYSP. 

FIREARM STORAGE LAW UPDATES

Effective September 1, 2022, if you leave your gun unattended in a vehicle, it must be unloaded and locked in a fire, impact, and tamper resistant storage depository that is hidden from view. Glove compartments and glove boxes are not appropriate safe storage depositories. 
 
Local rules for traveling with firearms also apply and may be more restrictive. For example, New York City requires that all guns be unloaded, in a case, and out of sight, even when you are with the vehicle (Penal Law § 265.45).

If anyone younger than 18 years old or anyone who is prohibited from possessing a gun resides in the home, all firearms, rifles, and shotguns not in your immediate control must either be:
• secured with a gun locking device (trigger lock or cable lock) that makes them incapable of being accessed or fired by the prohibited individual, or
• locked securely in a safe or secure container that is fire, impact, and tamper resistant and which is locked using a key, keypad, or combination

OTHER FIREARMS

New York State redefined "firearms", thus prohibiting any ongoing/ future sales of AR-platform "others". This portion of the law went into effect in July 2022. This does not affect the ownership of firearms acquired prior to the change in legislation.

BODY ARMOR

Effective July 6, 2022, when not engaged or employed in an eligible profession, the purchase, taking possession of, sale, exchange, giving or disposing of body armor is prohibited. 

​People engaged or employed in eligible professions (exempt professionals) currently include:  
  1. Police officers
  2. Peace officers
  3. Active Military
  4. Federal Law enforcement officer
  5. Armored car Guard
  6. Security Guard 
  7. Firefighter
  8. EMT
  9. Firearms Dealer
  10. Body Armor Retailer
  11. Private Investigator 
  12. Building Safety Inspector 
  13. Code Enforcement Officer

PENDING Exempt Professionals:
  • Journalist, Director Producer, Crew, etc
  • Process Server
  • Nuclear Security Officer
  • Security/Fire Alarm Professional 
  • Firearm Instructor 

LOWER RECEIVERS

The sale of lower receivers and completed frames are STILL LEGAL. NYS now defines a lower receiver as "a major component of a firearm" and thus not a completed firearm. Purchase of lower receivers still requires a 4473 NICS Check.

EXTENSIVE PISTOL PERMIT TRAINING

Updated Training Requirement for all new pistol permit applicants includes a minimum standard course that involves 16 Hours Classroom + 2 Hours Live Fire Instruction. Written test with a score of above 80% required to pass.

​​Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau & NYC permit-holders MUST take this course EVERY 3 YEARS to renew their permits. 

SOCIAL MEDIA REVIEW FOR PERMITS

New laws implemented relating to background investigation for new and renewing pistol permit applicants include a 3 year review of applicants' social media pages.
At this time, we are unaware of NYSP's capability to fasciliate such investigations, however, it is still required to provide this information on your application documents. 

NO FIREARMS UNLESS POSTED

Default of "NO FIREARMS PERMITTED" on private property unless explicitly posted. Please visit this link to get your FREE SIGN TEMPLATE to post at your business/ private property to continue to permit lawful firearms on premise. ​
​This went into effect on 09/01/2022.

FULL CARRY NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL

Q: Are individuals who have a premises license now able to carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside their home?

A: You STILL need to obtain or upgrade to a concealed carry license to do so. You cannot legally carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside of your home in New York State if you only have a premises license, which only allows you to possess a pistol or revolver in your home or place of business.

​Upgrading to FULL CARRY is now possible, please refer to your local county/ licensing officer for details on how to obtain your upgrade status.

MICROSTAMPING

"Microstamp" means a unique alphanumeric or geometric code that identifies the make, model and serial number of a firearm.
"Microstamping Component" means a component part of a semi-automatic pistol that will produce a micro stamp on at least one location of the expended cartridge case each time the pistol is fired.  
Division of Criminal Justice Services is to examine the technological viability of microstamping-enabled pistols, and if such investigation deems the technology viable, requires semiautomatic pistols sold in New York State to be microstamping-enabled. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that section three of this act shall take effect 4 years after the certification that microstamping-enabled pistols are technologically viable by the division of criminal justice services or a designee or 1 year after a person, association, partnership, corporation or other entity has been licensed to engage in the business of servicing firearms and their components to ensure compliance with the requirements of this act, whichever is earlier.​
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This is not required/in effect currently as it has yet to be deemed TECHNOLOGICALLY VIABLE.