Gun Laws/New York/Reviewed October 3, 2026

English

Are AR-15s and assault weapons legal in New York?

Quick answer

Restricted

New York has an assault weapon ban in effect.

3 of New York's 5 neighboring states have the same status. Check each one before you cross a state line with assault weapons.

Not legal advice. Source: N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(22), 265.02(7), checked October 3, 2026

Assault weapon bans by state

Alabama: No banAlaska: No banArizona: No banColorado: PartialFlorida: No banGeorgia: No banIndiana: No banKansas: No banMaine: No banMassachusetts: BanMinnesota: PartialNew Jersey: BanNorth Carolina: No banNorth Dakota: No banOklahoma: No banPennsylvania: No banSouth Dakota: No banTexas: No banWyoming: No banConnecticut: BanMissouri: No banWest Virginia: No banIllinois: BanNew Mexico: No banArkansas: No banCalifornia: BanDelaware: BanHawaii: PartialIowa: No banKentucky: No banMaryland: BanMichigan: No banMississippi: No banMontana: No banNew Hampshire: No banNew York: BanOhio: No banOregon: No banTennessee: No banUtah: No banVirginia: Ban blocked in courtWashington: BanWisconsin: No banNebraska: No banSouth Carolina: No banIdaho: No banNevada: No banVermont: No banLouisiana: No banRhode Island: BanALAKAZARCACOFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMIMNMSMOMTNENVNMNYNCNDOHOKORPASCSDTNTXUTVAWAWVWIWY
No ban (36)Partial or local (4)Ban in effect (10)Assault weapon bans by state. Tap a state
Map legend: clear means No ban; caution means Partial or local; restricted means Ban in effect

Featureless parts for a New York legal build

Compliant in New York.A compliant AR-15 is still legal to build in New York. These are the parts that make one featureless.

Most picked by builders

Live prices
  1. 1

    48% of grip and stock build picks

    Strike Industries AR Simple Featureless Grip
    $31.95at Primary Arms
  2. 2

    20% of grip and stock build picks

    Aim Sports Featureless Grip for AR Rifle, Black - PJFARG
    $19.99at AT3 Tactical
  3. 3

    15% of grip and stock build picks

    Mission First Tactical Engage Featureless AR-15 Grip - Black
    $34.99at Brownells
  4. 4

    2% of grip and stock build picks

    Strike Industries AR Stock Stop (for Featureless / Fixed Stock Conversion)
    $4.95at AR15 Discounts

Ranked by how often builders add each one to a build on GunPartPicker, across every build. In stock only, prices update hourly.

Plan a compliant build →

Not legal advice. Confirm your own configuration before you buy. All New York gun laws

What the New York statute says

New York's SAFE Act feature test

N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(22), 265.02(7)

“a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following characteristics: (i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a pistol grip”

New York uses the 2013 SAFE Act one feature test: a detachable magazine rifle with any one of a folding or telescoping stock, protruding pistol grip, thumbhole stock, second handgrip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor, muzzle brake, compensator or threaded barrel. Possession is a class D felony unless the rifle was registered. A post Bruen challenge, Lane v. Cacace, is pending with no injunction.

Statute text checked October 3, 2026. Quotes are the statute's own words.

New York law in detail

  • 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.
  • 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.

The federal rule

There is no federal assault weapon ban; the 1994 federal ban expired in 2004. States that restrict them either name specific models or define an assault weapon by features such as a pistol grip, an adjustable stock, a flash hider or a threaded barrel, which is why featureless and fixed magazine builds exist.

Assault weapons in neighboring states

Next steps

Frequently asked questions

Are AR-15s and assault weapons legal in New York?

Restricted. New York has an assault weapon ban in effect. The statute: N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(22), 265.02(7). Reviewed October 3, 2026.

What is the federal rule on assault weapons?

There is no federal assault weapon ban; the 1994 federal ban expired in 2004. States that restrict them either name specific models or define an assault weapon by features such as a pistol grip, an adjustable stock, a flash hider or a threaded barrel, which is why featureless and fixed magazine builds exist.

How many states restrict assault weapons?

Nationwide by our review: 36 states: no ban; 4: partial or local; 10: ban in effect.

More New York gun laws

Legal disclaimer: This page summarizes state law for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can be stricter. Confirm with the New York statutes, the state attorney general or a licensed attorney before buying, building or traveling.