New York Gun Laws
NYNew York at a glance
Neighboring states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont
Firearm Regulations
Key Notes
Permit required for handguns and semi-auto rifles. Assault weapons registered before Jan 15, 2014 grandfathered. NYC has additional restrictions. Minimum age 21 for semi-auto rifles.
- •Yes (handguns + semi-auto rifles) Permit to Purchase — A license is required to purchase handguns (pistol permit) and semi-automatic rifles. The minimum age for semi-auto rifle purchases is 21.
- •Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned (NFA) — All major NFA items are banned for civilians. Only destructive devices with under 3 oz of propellant may be legal.
- •Yes (Assault Weapon Ban) — New York's SAFE Act bans assault weapons by feature. Assault weapons lawfully owned and registered before January 15, 2014 are grandfathered.
- •10 rounds (Mag Limit) — Magazines holding more than 10 rounds are prohibited. Magazines that can hold more than 7 rounds may only be loaded with up to 7 rounds (provision partially struck down).
- •Shall Issue (post-Bruen) Concealed Carry — After the Bruen decision, New York transitioned to shall-issue but added extensive 'sensitive places' restrictions and training requirements.
- •Partial (handgun licensing only) State Preemption — The state preempts local handgun licensing only. NYC and other localities maintain their own additional firearms restrictions.
- •Convertible Pistols (2026) — Under Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2026, a pistol fitted with a converter counts as a machine gun from August 25, 2026, and dealers may not sell convertible pistols from May 31, 2027. Gun groups have sued.
Last updated October 10, 2026
Most Popular AR-15 Parts in New York
Ranked by how often builders in New York picked each brand, from real builds on GunPartPicker over the last year. One core slot per row.
- TriggerGeissele71%
- BarrelFN America40%
- Bolt Carrier GroupBravo Company35%
- Upper ReceiverPalmetto State Armory34%
- Lower ReceiverPalmetto State Armory28%
- HandguardMidwest Industries23%
Build yours in the AR Builder and compare live prices across retailers.
How New York Law Affects Your Build
Plain-English implications for builders, derived from the regulations above.
Assault Weapon Restrictions Apply
New York restricts firearms classified as "assault weapons." Standard AR-15 configurations with features like a pistol grip combined with a collapsible stock, threaded barrel, or flash hider may not be sold or transferred in their off-the-shelf form. Many New York builders run "featureless" configurations to remain compliant.
Magazine Capacity Limit in Effect
New York limits magazine capacity (10 rounds). Standard 30-round PMAGs and similar magazines may not be sold or imported in their factory configuration. Plan your build around pinned, welded, or reduced-capacity magazines.
NFA Restrictions Apply
New York restricts some or all NFA items (Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned). Suppressors, SBRs, or other regulated items may be banned under state law whatever ATF enforces federally. Verify before buying a 14.5" barrel or pinned muzzle device intended for SBR conversion. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
Permit Required to Purchase
New York requires a permit, license, or other prerequisite before you can purchase a firearm (Yes (handguns + semi-auto rifles)). Factor permit application time into your build timeline before ordering a complete lower or completed rifle.
Background Checks on Private Transfers
New York extends background-check requirements beyond licensed-dealer sales (Yes). Private transfers of complete firearms typically must run through an FFL.
Ready to spec a compliant build? Use the AR Builder to compare parts and live prices across retailers.
New York Gun Laws — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the AR-15 legal in New York?
- New York has an assault weapon ban (Yes). Standard AR-15 configurations are restricted, but compliant "featureless" or otherwise-modified builds are typically legal. Always verify your specific configuration against current New York statute before purchasing.
- What is the magazine capacity limit in New York?
- 10 rounds. Standard 30-round magazines may not be legal for sale; compliant magazines (or pinned/welded options) are required for new builds.
- Does New York require a permit to buy a firearm?
- Yes (handguns + semi-auto rifles). A permit, license, or qualifying ID is required in New York before purchasing a firearm.
- Can I conceal carry in New York?
- New York concealed carry status: Shall Issue (post-Bruen). The state must issue a permit to applicants who meet the qualifying criteria.
- Is open carry legal in New York?
- New York open carry: No. Local restrictions may still apply in cities, parks, schools, or government buildings.
- Are suppressors and SBRs legal in New York?
- NFA item status in New York: Machine guns, SBR, SBS, Suppressors banned. State law can restrict these items whatever ATF enforces federally. ATF announced on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the National Firearms Act's approval, registration and tax stamp requirements for suppressors, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons (AOWs). This is an enforcement policy, not a change to the National Firearms Act; the law is still on the books and the policy can be reversed or challenged. Some states only allow suppressors and SBRs that are federally registered or possessed in compliance with federal law. Check your state's statute before you buy.
- Does New York require background checks for private sales?
- Yes. Background-check requirements in New York extend beyond licensed-dealer sales — most private transfers must run through an FFL.
Sources & Further Reading
Verify current New York firearm law with these authoritative resources. Laws change — always confirm with primary sources before purchasing or carrying.
- Giffords Law Center — comprehensive state-by-state firearm law summaries and policy analysis.
- NRA-ILA State Gun Laws — state directory with statute references and recent legislative updates.
- Everytown Research State Rankings — research-driven scoring and policy explanations across all 50 states.
- ATF Firearms — federal regulations on NFA items, FFL transfers, and firearm classifications.
Traveling to New York with a gun?
Pick what you are bringing and where you start, and the Gun Travel Checker applies these rules to every state on the route, with what to do before each state line.
Check a trip to New York →Legal Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with official state sources, a qualified attorney, or local law enforcement before making purchasing or carrying decisions. GunPartPicker is not responsible for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information.