Glossary

Key terms and abbreviations used in New York firearms law.

Assault Weapon: As defined in PL 265.00(22) under the SAFE Act's one-feature test: a semiautomatic rifle or pistol with a detachable magazine and any one prohibited feature (pistol grip, folding stock, flash suppressor, threaded barrel, etc.), or a semiautomatic shotgun with any one prohibited feature. Replaced the pre-2013 two-feature test, substantially broadening the definition of banned firearms.
Body Armor: Defined broadly under PL 270.20(2) as any personal protective body covering intended to protect against gunfire, regardless of form. Civilian purchase and possession is prohibited since July 2022, with exemptions for law enforcement, military, and licensed security personnel. First offense: Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year). Subsequent offense: Class E felony (up to 4 years) under PL 270.21. Wearing body armor during a violent crime is an additional felony.
Bruen: Shorthand for the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2022 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen (597 U.S. 1), which struck down New York's "proper cause" requirement for concealed carry licenses. The decision established the historical-tradition test: firearms regulations must be justified by analogues from American history. Prompted New York's immediate enactment of the CCIA.
Castle Doctrine: New York's exception to the duty to retreat, permitting the use of deadly force without retreating when in one's own dwelling and not the initial aggressor, under PL 35.15. Does not extend to the curtilage, yard, porch, driveway, or vehicle. The dwelling must be the defender's actual residence.
CCIA: Concealed Carry Improvement Act. Enacted July 1, 2022, in direct response to the Supreme Court's Bruen decision. Replaced the "proper cause" standard with a "good moral character" requirement, created extensive lists of sensitive and restricted locations, imposed 16 hours of classroom training plus 2 hours of live-fire instruction, and required a personal interview for license applicants. The CCIA originally required social media account disclosure, but this provision was struck down by the Second Circuit in Antonyuk v. James (December 2023) and is not enforceable.
County Licensing Officer: The official responsible for processing pistol permit and semiautomatic rifle license applications outside New York City under PL 400.00. Typically a county court judge or supreme court justice. Some counties delegate aspects of the process to county clerks, sheriffs, or public safety departments. Licensing requirements and processing times vary significantly by county.
DCJS: Division of Criminal Justice Services. A state agency that, jointly with NYSP, approves concealed carry training curricula and certifies instructors under the CCIA framework. Also oversees armed security guard training and certification, maintains criminal history records, and administers various public safety programs across New York State.
Duty to Retreat: New York's requirement under PL 35.15 that a person must retreat to complete safety before using deadly physical force, if the person knows they can do so safely. The only exceptions are the Castle Doctrine (in one's own dwelling) and for law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty. New York does not have a stand-your-ground law.
ERPO: Extreme Risk Protection Order. A court order under CPLR Article 63-A (sections 6340-6345) authorizing the temporary seizure of firearms from a person deemed to pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. Petitioners may include family members, household members, school officials, medical professionals, district attorneys, and law enforcement. A temporary ERPO takes effect immediately upon service and remains in effect until the hearing on a final ERPO, which must be held within 3 to 6 business days. A final ERPO lasts up to one year.
Ghost Gun: An unserialized firearm lacking a manufacturer-engraved serial number. Prohibited in New York under the Jose Webster Untraceable Firearms Act (2022). The companion Beigel Act extends the prohibition to unfinished frames and receivers. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor; sale or manufacture carries felony penalties.
Good Moral Character: The post-Bruen licensing standard for concealed carry under the CCIA, replacing the former "proper cause" requirement. Applicants must demonstrate the essential character, temperament, and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and not pose a danger to themselves or others. The licensing officer evaluates this through references, personal interviews, and background investigation.
GBL 898: General Business Law Section 898. Requires all private sales, exchanges, and disposals of firearms, rifles, and shotguns to be processed through a licensed dealer who conducts a NICS background check. The dealer may charge up to $10. Exempts transfers between immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, stepchildren).
Jose Webster Act: The Jose Webster Untraceable Firearms Act (2022). Named after a 17-year-old killed with an untraceable firearm. Prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of unserialized firearms (ghost guns). Owners were given a six-month grace period to serialize through a licensed gunsmith or surrender their unserialized firearms. Codified in PL 265.01(9) and PL 265.07.
Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device: As defined in PL 265.00(23), a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition. Excludes attached tubular devices designed exclusively for .22 caliber rimfire ammunition and devices classified as curios or relics. Possession is a Class D felony.
May-Issue: New York's historical permit classification where the issuing authority had discretion in granting or denying licenses. Under the pre-Bruen framework, applicants had to demonstrate "proper cause" (a special need for self-defense). After the Supreme Court struck down this standard in NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), New York functionally shifted to a shall-issue system under the "good moral character" standard.
NICS: National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The federal background check system operated by the FBI. New York is a point-of-contact state, meaning background checks for firearms purchases are processed through the New York State Police rather than directly through the FBI. NICS checks are required for all dealer sales and for private transfers conducted through a dealer under GBL 898.
NYPD License Division: The division of the New York City Police Department that administers all firearms licensing within the five boroughs, including handgun licenses (premises, carry, and special), rifle and shotgun permits, and dealer licenses. Applications are submitted through the online portal. Located at One Police Plaza. Operates independently from the rest-of-state county licensing system.
NYSP: New York State Police. Operates the state NICS point-of-contact system for background checks, administers pistol permit recertification, sets concealed carry training standards jointly with DCJS, enforces SAFE Act provisions, maintains the assault weapon registry, and processes statewide firearms records and applications.
One-Feature Test: The SAFE Act's standard for classifying assault weapons under PL 265.00(22): a semiautomatic rifle or pistol with a detachable magazine needs only one prohibited feature (pistol grip, folding stock, flash suppressor, threaded barrel, etc.) to be classified as an assault weapon. Replaced the pre-2013 two-feature test, which required two or more enumerated features.
Pistol Permit: New York's license to possess or carry a handgun (pistol or revolver), issued under PL 400.00. License types include premises, carry, target/hunting, and gunsmith/dealer. Required statewide for any handgun possession. Outside NYC, issued by county licensing officers. In NYC, issued by the NYPD License Division. Carry licenses must be recertified every 3 years; premises and other non-carry licenses every 5 years.
Premises License: A pistol permit that authorizes possession of a handgun only at the licensee's home or place of business. Does not authorize carry outside those locations. Transport is limited to specific purposes such as traveling to a range, competition, or another authorized location. The firearm must be unloaded and in a locked container during transport. The most common license type in New York City.
Proper Cause: The pre-Bruen licensing standard that required concealed carry applicants to demonstrate a special need for self-defense distinguishing them from the general public. Derived from decades of New York case law interpreting PL 400.00. Struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022). Replaced by the "good moral character" standard under the CCIA.
Rapid-Fire Modification Device: As defined in PL 265.01-c, any device designed to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm. Specifically includes bump stocks, trigger cranks, binary trigger systems (fire on both pull and release), and burst trigger systems (multiple rounds per pull). Also encompasses pistol converters (auto-sears) that convert semiautomatic firearms to fully automatic fire. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor.
Recertification: The requirement under PL 400.00 that all pistol and revolver licenses be recertified with the New York State Police: every 3 years for concealed carry licenses, every 5 years for premises and other non-carry licenses. License holders must verify their information, confirm continued eligibility, and update their firearms list. In Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, and in NYC, licenses actually expire and must be renewed rather than merely recertified.
Restricted Location: Under PL 265.01-d (CCIA), private property where the owner has not explicitly permitted firearm possession. Originally, the default rule prohibited carry on all private property open to the public unless the owner posted affirmative signage permitting firearms. Federal courts struck down this default as applied to businesses open to the public; licensed carry is now permitted unless the business posts "no firearms" signage. Violation is a Class E felony.
SAFE Act: Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013. Landmark legislation that established the one-feature assault weapon test, imposed a 10-round magazine capacity limit, created safe storage requirements, mandated assault weapon registration, expanded background check provisions, and strengthened mental health reporting to NICS. Remains the foundational framework of New York's modern firearms regulatory scheme.
Scott J. Beigel Act: The Scott J. Beigel Unfinished Receiver Act (2022). Named after a teacher killed in the Parkland school shooting. Regulates unfinished frames and receivers, defined as any unserialized material shaped or formed for the purpose of becoming a firearm frame or receiver that may readily be made functional through milling, drilling, or other means. Criminal sale is a Class D or Class E felony.
Semiautomatic Rifle License: A license required since September 4, 2022, to purchase or take ownership of any semiautomatic rifle in New York. Minimum age is 21. Applied for through the county licensing officer under PL 400.00. Semiautomatic rifles owned before the effective date are grandfathered and do not require a license for continued possession. Persons aged 18-20 may still purchase non-semiautomatic rifles.
Sensitive Location: Under PL 265.01-e (CCIA), a location where licensed carry is categorically prohibited. Includes government buildings, courts, schools, colleges, libraries, parks, playgrounds, public transit, Times Square, bars and restaurants serving alcohol, entertainment venues, polling places, health care facilities, and airports. Violation is a Class E felony (up to 4 years).
Unfinished Frame or Receiver: As defined under the Scott J. Beigel Act, any unserialized piece of material that does not yet constitute a functional frame or receiver but has been shaped or formed for the purpose of becoming one, and which may readily be made functional through milling, drilling, or other means. Possession and sale are prohibited. Must be serialized through a licensed gunsmith and registered with NYSP if legally retained.