Buying a handgun once you are licensed
In New York City a licensee may not take possession of a handgun without prior written authorization from the NYPD License Division. The authorization is valid for thirty days and must be presented to the dealer. How many handguns you may acquire depends on your license type, no one may acquire a firearm within ninety days of a previous acquisition, and the handgun must be presented to the License Division for inspection after purchase.
01The purchase authorization
A New York City licensee may not take possession of a handgun without prior written authorization from the License Division. The authorization form is valid for thirty days from issuance and must be presented to the dealer.
No person shall acquire a firearm if that person has acquired a firearm within the previous ninety days.
After purchase, the licensee must contact the License Division within seventy-two hours to request inspection, and must submit the completed authorization form, the bill of sale, photographs of the handgun and its serial number, safety locking device photographs, and proof of safe storage. The authorization form must be returned within ten calendar days of its expiration or of completion of the transaction.
02How many handguns you may own
Quantity is set by license type: a premises-residence licensee is authorized one handgun initially, with additional handguns approved only on a showing of proper safeguarding and compliance with waiting periods; a premises-business licensee, one; a carry or special carry licensee, two, of which only one may be carried at a time with the other secured; a non-resident carry licensee's request for multiple handguns is not approved; a carry guard or special carry guard licensee, one, with additional handguns reviewed case by case; and a gun custodian's number is set by the Division Head based on demonstrated need.
03Background checks
New York requires all sales, exchanges or disposals of firearms, rifles or shotguns to be conducted through a background check via the State Police, with exceptions for transfers by a licensed importer, manufacturer or dealer acting under a federal firearms license, and for transfers between members of an immediate family — spouses, domestic partners, children and step-children. Violation is a class A misdemeanor.
New York requires ammunition sellers to run a background check through the State Police before transferring ammunition.
The Division of State Police is authorized and directed to serve as a state point of contact for implementation of 18 U.S.C. §922(t). It processes background check requests from licensed dealers and consults the statewide firearms licence and records database to determine whether a purchaser is prohibited under state or federal law. Dealers therefore run checks through the State Police rather than directly with the FBI.
Can I buy a handgun as soon as my NYC license is issued?
Not immediately. Under 38 RCNY §5-25 you need prior written purchase authorization from the License Division, valid thirty days, which you present to the dealer.
How many handguns can I own with a NYC carry license?
Two under 38 RCNY §5-25, of which only one may be carried at a time — the other must remain secured. Premises licensees are authorized one initially.
Is there a waiting period between purchases?
Yes. 38 RCNY §5-25 provides that no person shall acquire a firearm within ninety days of a previous acquisition.
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