NY Concealed Carry License Under the CCIA

From "Proper Cause" to "Good Moral Character"

On June 23, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, striking down New York's longstanding "proper cause" requirement for concealed carry licenses as a violation of the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.^[1] For over a century, New York had required applicants to demonstrate a special need for self-protection beyond that of the general public. The Bruen decision held that the right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense is protected by the Constitution and that the government bears the burden of demonstrating that any restriction is consistent with the nation's historical tradition of firearms regulation.

In response, New York enacted the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) on July 1, 2022, establishing a new licensing framework effective September 1, 2022.^[2] After Bruen invalidated the proper-cause standard, the CCIA imposed a "good moral character" requirement under Penal Law Section 400.00, requiring applicants to demonstrate "the essential character, temperament, and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself or others."^[3]

Eligibility Requirements

Under PL 400.00 as amended by the CCIA, an applicant for a concealed carry license must meet all of the following criteria:^[4]

Be at least 21 years of age (exception for honorably discharged military members)
Demonstrate good moral character with essential character, temperament, and judgment
Have no felony or serious offense convictions
Not be a fugitive from justice
Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances
Have no involuntary commitment to a mental health facility
Complete 16 hours of in-person curriculum plus 2 hours of live-fire training with a DCJS-approved instructor
Pass a written examination with a score of 80% or higher
Undergo an extensive background investigation

License Types

Outside New York City, the licensing officer (typically a county court judge) issues pistol permits under PL 400.00. License types include premises licenses (possess at home or business only), carry licenses (concealed carry on person), target or hunting licenses (limited use), and gunsmith or dealer licenses.^[5] Within New York City, the NYPD License Division administers premises, carry, guard, gun-custodian, and special handgun-license categories under state law and Title 38 of the city rules.^[6]

Recertification and Application Process

Carry licenses issued outside New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties generally must be recertified with the New York State Police every three years.^[7] Carry licenses issued by those four jurisdictions expire and must be renewed through the local licensing authority every three years. Application fees and procedures vary by licensing authority.^[8]

Litigation Status

The Second Circuit issued its post-Rahimi Antonyuk opinion on October 24, 2024. The Supreme Court denied certiorari on April 7, 2025. The operative appellate rulings leave the core licensing framework in place while enjoining the social-media disclosure requirement and limiting other provisions according to the specific claim and plaintiff.^[9]

In May 2026, the Second Circuit affirmed the injunction against New York's express-consent rule for private property open to the public in Christian v. James. The Supreme Court's June 2026 Wolford decision independently rejected the same type of default rule. Neither decision eliminates an owner's right to prohibit firearms.

Concealed Carry Under the CCIA:
Licensing Framework