Premises License Limitations
A premises license under Penal Law Section 400.00 authorizes the holder to possess a handgun (pistol or revolver) only at the specific dwelling or place of business listed on the license.[1] Unlike a concealed carry license, a premises license does not authorize carrying a handgun on one's person in public. However, PL 400.00 provides limited exceptions that allow premises license holders to transport their firearms to certain authorized destinations.
Authorized Transport Destinations
The premises limitation does not prevent a licensee from transporting a pistol or revolver directly to or from the following locations:[2]
- Another dwelling or place of business of the licensee where the licensee is authorized to have and possess such pistol or revolver
- An indoor or outdoor shooting range that is authorized by law to operate as such
- A shooting competition sanctioned by the NRA, a duly organized club, or a similar entity
Transport Requirements
During transport, premises license holders must comply with specific security requirements:[3]
- The handgun must be completely unloaded
- The handgun must be placed in a locked container
- Ammunition must be stored separately from the firearm
- The trip must be continuous and uninterrupted -- no stops for errands, dining, or other purposes unrelated to the authorized destination
- The locked container must not be the glove compartment or center console of a vehicle
NYC-Specific Rules
New York City imposes additional requirements on premises license holders. Under NYPD License Division rules (38 RCNY Chapter 5), a handgun listed on a NYC premises license must be kept at the premises when not being transported directly to or from an authorized location. The NYPD requires that the handgun be transported in a locked container with the ammunition carried in a separate locked container.[4]
In 2019, New York State codified expanded transport rights under Senate Bill S6151, which clarified that premises license holders may transport their firearms to shooting ranges and competitions throughout the state, not only within their home county.[5]
Vehicle Storage (PL 265.45)
When leaving a firearm in a vehicle -- even temporarily during transport -- PL 265.45 requires that all ammunition be removed from the firearm, the firearm be secured in an appropriate safe storage depository (not a glove compartment or glove box), and the firearm be placed out of sight from outside the vehicle.[6]
Penalties for Unauthorized Transport
A premises license holder who carries a handgun in public outside the scope of the authorized transport exceptions may be charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (PL 265.03), a Class C violent felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 years in state prison.[7]