Updated September 18, 2023
A New York gun bill of sale is a legal document that proves the sale, purchase and change of ownership of a firearm took place according to all relevant laws in the State of New York. This document provides identifying information about the seller, the buyer, and the firearm at the center of the transaction. It can be used as legal proof of a change of ownership between parties. This document must be notarized with two (2) witnesses.
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Privately Selling a Firearm
Any person with a valid New York State Pistol/Revolver License is permitted to privately sell a firearm as long as they utilize a federally licensed gun dealer to assist with conducting a federal background check of the potential buyer.
Prohibited from Buying
A New York State Pistol/Revolver License is required, except in New York City, for any New York state resident to purchase a handgun. Any person is prohibited from purchasing a firearm if they are not:[1]
- twenty-one years of age or older, provided, however, that where such applicant has been honorably discharged from the United States army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard, or the national guard of the state of New York, no such age restriction shall apply; or
- of good moral character; and
- who has not been convicted anywhere of a felony or a serious offense or who is not the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense;
- who is not a fugitive from justice;
- who is not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;[2]
- who being an alien
- is not illegally or unlawfully in the United States or
- has not been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa subject to exceptions;[3]
- who has not been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
- who, having been a citizen of the United States, has not renounced his or her citizenship;
- who has stated whether he or she has ever suffered any mental illness;
- who has not been involuntarily committed to a facility under the jurisdiction of an office of the department of mental hygiene, or has not been civilly confined in a secure treatment facility pursuant to article ten of the mental hygiene law;
- who has not had a license revoked or who is not under a suspension or ineligibility order;[4]
- in the county of Westchester, who has successfully completed a firearms safety course and test as evidenced by a certificate of completion issued in his or her name and endorsed and affirmed under the penalties of perjury by a duly authorized instructor, except that:
- persons who are honorably discharged from the United States army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or of the national guard of the state of New York, and produce evidence of official qualification in firearms during the term of service are not required to have completed those hours of a firearms safety course pertaining to the safe use, carrying, possession, maintenance and storage of a firearm; and
- persons who were licensed to possess a pistol or revolver prior to the effective date of this paragraph are not required to have completed a firearms safety course and test;
- who has not had a guardian appointed for him or her pursuant to any provision of state law, based on a determination that as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incapacity, condition or disease, he or she lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his or her own affairs; and
- concerning whom no good cause exists for the denial of the license. No person shall engage in the business of gunsmith or dealer in firearms unless licensed pursuant to this section. An applicant to engage in such business shall also be a citizen of the United States, more than twenty-one years of age and maintain a place of business in the city or county where the license is issued. For such business, if the applicant is a firm or partnership, each member thereof shall comply with all of the requirements set forth in this subdivision and if the applicant is a corporation, each officer thereof shall so comply.
Registering a Firearm
All owners of handguns are required to register their weapons with the state police.[5] All licensed gun dealers are required to maintain detailed records of all sales of firearms.[6]
Concealed Carry
All New York residents are required to obtain a State of New York Pistol/Revolver License in order to carry a concealed weapon.
How to Apply
The age requirement to carry a concealed weapon in New York state is 21.[1]
Step 1 – Complete a State of New York Pistol/Revolver License Application (PPB3).
Step 2 – Attach a photograph of the applicant taken within thirty days of applying.
Step 3 – Attach proof of a legally recognized reason for wanting or needing to carry a firearm.
Step 4 – Submit the application to the county where the applicant lives or is employed.
Step 5 – The application will be approved or denied within six months of being submitted.[7]
Reciprocity
New York does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other states.