Licensed firearms dealers in New York must meet a comprehensive set of obligations beyond federal FFL requirements, including providing locking devices, posting safety warnings, and displaying suicide prevention information. This article details every dealer obligation under state law.
Overview
New York imposes a comprehensive set of obligations on licensed firearms dealers that go beyond the federal requirements for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders. These obligations are codified across multiple statutes, including Penal Law Section 400.00, General Business Law Section 396-ee, and related provisions enacted through the SAFE Act and subsequent legislation.[1] Dealers must obtain both a federal firearms license and a state dealer license, and must comply with specific requirements for gun locking devices, safety warning labels, in-store postings, suicide prevention notices, and secure storage during non-business hours.
Gun Locking Device Requirement
Under General Business Law Section 396-ee, no person, firm, or corporation engaged in the retail business of selling rifles, shotguns, or firearms may sell, deliver, or transfer any such weapon to another person without providing a gun locking device at the time of the sale.[2] A "gun locking device" is defined as an integrated design feature or an attachable accessory that is resistant to tampering and effective in preventing discharge by a person without access to the key, combination, or other mechanism to disengage the device.[2] The Division of State Police establishes minimum standards for what constitutes an effective gun locking device.
Safety Warning Label
In addition to the locking device, dealers must provide a label containing the following warning text, either affixed to the firearm or placed in the container in which it is sold, delivered, or transferred:
"The use of a locking device or safety lock is only one aspect of responsible firearm storage. For increased safety firearms should be stored unloaded and locked in a location that is both separate from their ammunition and inaccessible to children and any other unauthorized person."[2]
In-Store Storage Notice
Dealers must post a notice conspicuously in the place where rifles, shotguns, or firearms are displayed or transferred to the purchaser. The notice must state in bold print:
"RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STORAGE IS THE LAW IN NEW YORK STATE. RIFLES, SHOTGUNS AND FIREARMS MUST EITHER BE STORED WITH A GUN LOCKING DEVICE OR IN A SAFE STORAGE DEPOSITORY OR NOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATE POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF THE OWNER OR OTHER LAWFUL POSSESSOR IF A CHILD RESIDES IN THE HOME OR IS PRESENT, OR IF THE OWNER OR POSSESSOR RESIDES WITH A PERSON PROHIBITED FROM POSSESSING A RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR FIREARM UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW."[2]
Suicide Prevention Warning
As of January 7, 2025, dealers must post a suicide prevention warning notice at the entrance to the site where firearms are sold and in at least one additional area where sales occur. The notice must be no smaller than twenty-four-point type on a sign at least eight and one-half by eleven inches, stating in bold print:[1]
"WARNING: ACCESS TO A RIFLE, SHOTGUN, OR FIREARM IN THE HOME SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF SUICIDE, DEATH DURING DOMESTIC DISPUTES, AND/OR UNINTENTIONAL DEATHS TO CHILDREN, HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND OTHERS. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING DISTRESS AND/OR DEPRESSION, CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 988."[1]
Dealers must also distribute a copy of this notice to each purchaser at the time of every individual sale of a rifle, shotgun, or firearm.[1]
On April 3, 2025, Governor Hochul signed S.743/A.437, a chapter amendment to the original 2024 dealer safety warning law (S.6649/A.2882).[3][4] The chapter amendment strengthens the signage requirements by mandating bigger, clearer, and more specific warnings posted at both the entrance to the dealership and at the register or point of sale. The amendment reinforces the Surgeon General-style warning approach, ensuring that consumers are informed about the risks associated with firearms ownership -- including increased risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and unintentional death to children and household members -- along with the prominently displayed 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number. This chapter amendment was one of three gun safety refinements signed on the same date (alongside S.744 on pistol converters and S.745 on credit card merchant category codes).
Secure Storage During Non-Business Hours
During non-business hours, all firearms, rifles, and shotguns on the dealer's premises must either be secured in a locked fireproof safe or vault, or otherwise secured in a locked and secure area on the dealer's business premises.[1] This requirement is designed to prevent theft and unauthorized access to the dealer's inventory.
Record-Keeping and Inspection
Dealers must maintain accurate records of all firearm transactions, including private transfers facilitated under GBL 898. These records must be kept at the licensed premises and must be available for inspection by peace officers and police officers during reasonable hours.[5] Failure to maintain proper records can result in the revocation of the dealer's license.
See also: Dealer Locking Device and Safety Warning Requirements