Buying a Rifle or Shotgun in New York

Buying a rifle or shotgun in New York is simpler than buying a handgun in most of the state, but the process is still more regulated than in most other states. The type of long gun you want to purchase and whether you live inside or outside New York City will determine which steps you need to follow.

Two Different Tracks: Semiautomatic vs. Non-Semiautomatic

Since September 4, 2022, New York requires a separate semiautomatic rifle license to purchase or take ownership of any semiautomatic rifle^[1]. This applies to all semiautomatic rifles, not just those that qualify as "assault weapons" under the SAFE Act. You generally must be 21 or older to obtain this license, but PL 400.00(1)(a) exempts applicants honorably discharged from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard, or the New York National Guard from that age restriction.

For non-semiautomatic rifles (bolt-action, pump-action, lever-action, single-shot) and most shotguns, no state license is required outside NYC, and the minimum purchase age is 18^[2].

Buying a Non-Semiautomatic Rifle or Shotgun (Outside NYC)

This is the simplest firearm purchase process in New York. No state license is required for bolt-action, pump-action, lever-action, or single-shot rifles and most shotguns outside of the five boroughs.

1. Visit a licensed dealer. All purchases from a dealer require a federal background check via ATF Form 4473 and a NICS check through the New York State Police^[3].
2. Present valid identification. Bring a valid New York driver's license or state ID. Your address on the ID must be current.
3. Wait for NICS approval. If the check returns "proceed," the dealer can complete the sale. If there is a delay, you must wait until the check clears or 30 calendar days pass without a denial. New York does not impose a fixed mandatory waiting period for long guns at this time. S.362 would establish a 10-day waiting period for firearms as defined in PL 265.00(3), rather than all rifles and shotguns. Its last recorded action was commitment to the Senate Rules Committee on June 5, 2026.
4. Receive a locking device. A retail seller is required to provide a gun locking device with a covered firearm transfer, along with the safety warning label required by General Business Law Section 396-ee.^[4]

Buying a Semiautomatic Rifle (Statewide)

The semiautomatic rifle license requirement applies to every semiautomatic rifle, not just those that might qualify as "assault weapons." A Ruger 10/22, a Browning BAR hunting rifle, and an AR-15-pattern rifle all fall under this requirement if they are semiautomatic.

1. Confirm eligibility. Applicants generally must be at least 21 years old^[5]. Applicants aged 18 to 20 who do not qualify for the military-discharge exception may still purchase non-semiautomatic long guns but cannot purchase a semiautomatic rifle.
2. Obtain a semiautomatic rifle license. Apply through your county licensing officer. The license requirement applies to all new semiautomatic rifle purchases or transfers of ownership after September 4, 2022. Semiautomatic rifles lawfully possessed before that date do not require this license for continued possession.
3. Complete the purchase. Follow the same dealer process as above, with the additional step of presenting your semiautomatic rifle license to the dealer.

Buying a Rifle or Shotgun Inside NYC

Subject to limited exceptions, New York City requires a separate permit to possess a rifle or shotgun, regardless of action type^[6]. To buy a long gun within the five boroughs:

1. Apply for an NYC rifle/shotgun permit through the NYPD License Division online portal^[7].
2. Submit to fingerprinting and a background investigation.
3. Wait for approval. NYC permits are valid for three years and must be renewed.
4. Purchase from a dealer and present your NYC rifle/shotgun permit.

SAFE Act Compliance

Ordinary civilian purchases of rifles or shotguns classified as assault weapons are prohibited, but qualifying antique guns may be transferred to an eligible new owner who registers the gun upon taking possession^[8]. For semiautomatic rifles, the assault-weapon definition generally covers a rifle that accepts a detachable magazine and has at least one prohibited feature, such as a pistol grip, folding stock, or threaded barrel, subject to the statutory exclusions. Magazines are generally limited to 10 rounds, with statutory exceptions for attached tubular devices operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition and qualifying registered curio or relic feeding devices^[9].

Private Sales

If you are buying from a private seller rather than a dealer, the sale must still go through a licensed dealer for a background check under GBL 898^[10]. The only exemption is transfers between immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, and stepchildren). The dealer may charge up to $10 per transaction. Note that dealers are not required to facilitate private transfers. If one dealer declines, you may need to contact others.

Common Mistakes When Buying Long Guns

• Attempting to buy a semiautomatic rifle at age 18, 19, or 20 (the usual minimum age is 21, with the military-discharge exception in PL 400.00(1)(a))
• Purchasing a rifle inside NYC without first obtaining an NYPD rifle/shotgun permit
• Buying a semiautomatic rifle that has a detachable magazine plus any single prohibited feature (this makes it an assault weapon under the SAFE Act)
• Assuming that a private sale does not require a background check (it does, except for immediate family)
• Purchasing a prohibited large capacity ammunition feeding device, subject to the statutory exceptions for attached .22 caliber rimfire tubular devices and qualifying registered curio or relic feeding devices (possession of a prohibited device is a Class D felony)

See also: SAFE Act Compliance: Building a Legal Rifle in New York