New York requires a license -- commonly called a "pistol permit" -- to possess a handgun. Outside New York City, applications are administered by county or local licensing authorities under Penal Law 400.00.[1] The statute directs applicants who reside, are principally employed, or have their principal place of business as a merchant or storekeeper in New York to apply in the corresponding city or county. State guidance says nonresidents who do not live or work in New York may also apply and should contact a licensing officer that will accept the application.[4]
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before beginning the application, verify that you meet all statutory eligibility requirements under PL 400.00:[2]
- You generally must be at least 21 years old. PL 400.00 waives that age restriction for applicants honorably discharged from the listed United States armed forces or the New York National Guard.
- If you reside, are principally employed, or have your principal place of business as a merchant or storekeeper in New York, apply through the licensing officer for that locality. State guidance permits licensing officers to accept applications from nonresidents who do not live or work in New York.
- You must have no felony convictions or convictions for a "serious offense" as defined by state law
- You must not be under a suspension or ineligibility order issued under the provisions identified in PL 400.00
- You must not be an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances
- You must not have had a license revoked
Step 2: Complete the Required Training
Applicants seeking issuance or renewal of a carry-concealed license under PL 400.00(2)(f) must complete the required course before the license is issued or renewed. The course includes 16 hours of in-person curriculum, at least 2 hours of live-fire range training, and an 80 percent written-test threshold. It must be conducted by a duly authorized instructor approved by DCJS, using curriculum approved by DCJS and the State Police superintendent.[3] This 18-hour requirement is not a universal prerequisite for every type of pistol permit. Applicants should confirm the requirements for the license type with their local licensing authority.[4]
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
While exact requirements vary by county, you will generally need:
- A completed PPB-3 pistol/revolver license application form (available from your county licensing authority or online)[5]
- Identification and the personal information required by the application, including your residence and whether you are a United States citizen
- If you are not a United States citizen, documentation needed to evaluate the immigration-status criteria in PL 400.00
- For a carry-concealed application, names and contact information for at least four character references. Confirm any additional local requirements with the licensing authority.
- Your training completion certificate, when required for the license type
- Passport-style photographs (number varies by county)
Step 4: Submit Your Application and Get Fingerprinted
Submit the completed application to the licensing authority that accepts it and follow that authority's fingerprinting process. Fingerprinting and related local charges vary.[6] Outside New York City, Nassau County, and Westchester County, PL 400.00 sets the license fee at $3 to $10. New York City, Nassau County, and Westchester County set their own license fees.
Step 5: Investigation and Interview
The duly constituted police authorities for the locality investigate the application and report the results to the licensing officer. Local procedures may include an interview and additional document requirements. Under PL 400.00, the licensing officer generally must act within six months of presentment, but may provide written notice of a delay for good cause specific to the applicant.[1]
Step 6: License Issuance
If approved, the license will identify the statutory license type and any lawful restrictions. A premises license authorizes possession at the specified dwelling or place of business, but PL 400.00 also permits transport to another authorized dwelling or business, a lawful shooting range or competition, and other locations where possession is lawful. A carry-concealed license authorizes concealed carry subject to state and federal restrictions. Once issued, a duplicate of the application is forwarded to the New York State Police within ten days.[2]
Recertification
Licenses issued outside New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties generally recertify with the New York State Police every three years for carry-concealed licenses and every five years for other covered license types. The standard recertification process is online. An out-of-state resident without a New York driver license or non-driver identification card must use the paper form. New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester licenses follow local renewal requirements instead of State Police recertification.[7]
See also: County-by-County Licensing Differences