Concealed Carry Firearm Laws in New York City

Message from the Mayor

August 31, 2022

Potrait image of Mayor Eric Adams

As mayor of New York City and a former police officer, my top priority will always be the safety of the 8.8 million people who call this city home. In June of this year, the Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that New York's century-old proper cause gun licensing provision violates the Second Amendment. Although I vehemently disagree with the Bruen decision, my administration is doing everything it can to implement the decision in a safe way.

Starting Thursday, September 1st, new provisions of the law passed by the state Legislature in response to the Supreme Court's ruling go into effect. The legislation adds eligibility requirements in the concealed carry licensing process, including completed firearm training courses for applicants. It also restricts the carrying of concealed weapons in a specified list of "sensitive locations," including Times Square. Additionally, under the legislation, licensees will not be allowed to bring a concealed weapon into a private establishment unless they have explicit permission from the property owner. Signage will be posted around the borders of the Times Square sensitive location designating it as a "Gun Free Zone." There are also optional signage templates available for property owners of private establishments to indicate whether concealed carry licensees can bring guns onto their premises.

We understand that there are many questions surrounding the law and how it will affect New Yorkers. We have created this FAQ to serve as a publicly available resource for everyone to familiarize themselves with the new regulations going into effect. We want to reassure all New Yorkers, and those who visit our city, that we will do all we can to keep New York the safest big city in America and a beacon of freedom for all the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

On June 23, 2022, in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen,the United States Supreme Court struck down a 100-year-old New York handgun-licensing law that required applicants for conceal carry gun licenses to show "proper cause."  The Court decided that New York State's "proper cause" requirement violated the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

On July 1, 2022, New York State enacted legislation in response to the Bruen decision.  Among its major features, the state legislation adds specific eligibility requirements to the concealed carry licensing process and restricts the carrying of concealed weapons in a specified list of "sensitive locations."  It also enhances safe storage requirements and background check coordination, as well as amending the state's ban on purchasing body armor to include hard body armor.

Below are frequently asked questions about the recent State legislation (Chapter 371 of the Laws of 2022).  The information provided in the FAQ below does not constitute legal advice.  All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only and do not supersede applicable laws and rules.

These frequently asked questions were last updated August 31, 2022.

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Legislation Overview

When does the State legislation (Chapter 371 of the Laws of 2022) officially take effect?

Key provisions of the new State legislation (Chapter 371 of the Laws of 2022) take effect on September 1, 2022. Review the full legislation.

How is gun licensing changing under the new state legislation?

The licensing changes under the new legislation primarily relate to concealed carry gun licenses, which are a type of license that allows a person to carry a pistol or revolver outside of the home.

As of September 1, 2022, applicants for concealed carry licenses will be required to meet revised eligibility requirements and complete a state-regulated firearms training course. More information on those requirements can be obtained from the NYPD website.

What are the restrictions on where license holders can bring guns?

Concealed carry licensees are not permitted to bring guns into certain defined "sensitive locations."

Sensitive locations include, but are not limited to:

  • Airports
  • Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
  • Courthouses
  • Educational Institutions
  • Emergency shelters, including domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters
  • Entertainment venues
  • Federal, state, and local government buildings
  • Health and medical facilities
  • Houses of worship
  • Libraries, playgrounds, parks (including botanical gardens), and zoos
  • Polling sites
  • Public demonstrations and rallies
  • Public transportation and public transportation stations, including subways, buses, and subway stations
  • Schools, nursery schools, preschools, and summer camps
  • Times Square.

For a complete list of sensitive locations, please refer to the legislation.

The prohibition of carrying guns in sensitive locations does not apply to police officers, retired police officers, peace officers, armed security guards, active-duty military personnel, or any person who is lawfully engaged in hunting. For a complete list of exemptions, please refer to the legislation.  

What the Legislation Means for New York City

Does the Bruen decision mean it will be easier for people to carry guns in New York City?

Although the Bruen decision and the state legislation mark a shift from the prior concealed carry landscape, it is important to keep in mind that with some limited exceptions, a New York license is generally needed to carry a gun (except for those people exempted) and the NYPD will continue to enforce the laws against unlicensed gun carriers.  

For lawful concealed carry licensees, there are additional measures to protect public safety, including a 16-hour safety training course, the establishment of a statewide license and ammunition database, state oversight over background checks, and regular checks on license holders for criminal convictions.  Furthermore, new disqualifying criminal convictions, such as a conviction for third degree assault within the prior five years, will preclude an applicant from obtaining a concealed carry license.

Can people bring guns into the subway?

Generally, no. As noted above, subways are "sensitive locations." For more information on sensitive locations, see the FAQ entry above.

I own a private business in New York City, and I do not want individuals to enter with a gun, even if they have a concealed carry license. What should I do?

It is a felony for a person to enter or remain on your property unless you (as the owner or lessee of the property) have given your express permission for a person to carry their gun into your property.  If someone enters your store with a gun without such permission, you can ask them to leave or call 911.  You are not required to post any signage on your property prohibiting gun owners from entering your premises with a gun; however, if you would like to post a sign, you are free to do so.  Templates are available below.  You may also create and use your own signage.

I own a private business in New York City, and I would like to permit lawful concealed carry license holders to enter with their concealed gun. What should I do? 

Unless your property is a designated sensitive location, you may permit concealed carry license holders to enter with a gun by displaying a sign indicating that the carrying of firearms, rifles, or shotguns on your property is permitted.  You may also give your express consent in other ways, such as by telling someone that they can enter with their gun.  Templates are available below.  You may also create and use your own signage.

I saw someone with a gun that was not concealed. What should I do?

Call 911 if you think someone is carrying a gun in an illegal manner.

Can people now carry assault weapons in public?

In general, no. With limited exceptions, the manufacture, sale, transport, disposition or possession of assault weapons, as they are defined by City and State law, has long been banned in New York State.

I am planning to visit New York from a state where I have a license to carry my weapon (concealed or open). Can I bring my gun with me?

State law continues to require that all individuals wishing to carry or possess a firearm in or through the City obtain a license from the NYPD.  The City generally does not honor concealed carry licenses from other states or other parts of New York State.  There are limited exceptions for the transport of guns directly through the City, so long as they are unloaded and properly secured.

This requirement does not apply to law enforcement officers, and retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry a firearm under the federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act.

What are the rules related to Times Square?

Times Square is a sensitive location, meaning that concealed carry license holders are generally not permitted to bring guns into the Times Square zone.  (As described in the Q&A above, certain groups, such as police officers, are exempted from the sensitive location restrictions.)

Times Square is defined as the area in Manhattan from 40th Street to 48th Street between 6th Avenue and 9th Avenue, and the area from 48th Street to 53rd Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue, including the streets and sidewalks.  The definition of Times Square as a sensitive location does not include the interior of any building or other enclosed structure (but a building or enclosed structure within Times Square may fall within another category of sensitive locations).  For the complete description, please refer to the rules on the NYPD website.

How can I apply for a concealed carry license?

Will there be further legislation regarding lawful concealed carry?

If further legislation is enacted or rules are promulgated, they will be posted.

I have further questions about the new law. Whom can I contact?

If you have licensing related questions, you can contact the NYPD Licensing Division. The City plans to update this page periodically to address public concerns.

You can also download New York State's FAQ.

Signage

Private property owners or lessees are not required to post any signage prohibiting gun owners from entering their premises with a gun, though they may choose to do so.  If you would like to post a sign at your property, you can use one of the templates below. 

Unless the property is a designated sensitive location, private property owners or lessees may permit concealed carry license holders to enter with a gun by displaying a sign indicating that the carrying of firearms, rifles, or shotguns on the premises is permitted.  Private property owners or lessees may also give express consent in other ways, such as by telling someone that they can enter with their gun.  If you would like to post a sign at your property, you can use the template below.