How free is New York with respect to the right to keep and bear arms? 

New York

State of Disaster
13.64%
State of Disaster
Compare New York to other states here
ARMS
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of common handguns (by, e.g., "rosters")? NO
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of semi-automatic firearms (e.g., "Assault Weapons" bans)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) that is otherwise compliant with federal law (e.g., NFA registration)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of a Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS) that is otherwise compliant with federal law (e.g., NFA registration)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of a Machine Gun (automatic firearm) that is otherwise compliant with federal law (e.g., NFA registration)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of a firearm sound suppressor (“silencer”) that is otherwise compliant with federal law (e.g., NFA registration)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of firearm magazines/ammunition feeding devices based on a capacity limit (e.g., limit of 10 rounds)? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the purchase, possession, or transfer of body armor? YES
Does the State prohibit or restrict the personal manufacture of firearms? YES
Carry
Does the State require a typical person to acquire a permit or license to carry a handgun in public (including in vehicles) for self-defense? (Respond "yes" if both permitless and permitted carry are available but a license allows for carry in more places.) YES
Does the State impose an age-based ban on the ability of 18-to-20 year-old adults to acquire a license or permit to carry handguns in public for self-defense? YES
Does the State impose a ban on carrying firearms on private property open to the public unless the property owner expressly allows it (the "vampire rule" or similar concept)? YES
Does the State impose a ban on carrying firearms at places of worship? YES
Does the State impose a ban on carrying firearms at outdoor public facilities and lands (e.g., parks, trails, campgrounds)? YES
Does the State impose a ban on carrying firearms on public transportation or at public transit facilities other than the secure area of airports (train, bus, light rail, multimodal, etc.)? YES
Does the State impose a ban on carrying firearms at government buildings (other than schools, legislative/executive office buildings, courthouses/judicial offices, jails/prisons, mental health facilities, and military installations) that are open to the public? YES
Acquisition
Does the State impose a requirement for a license or permit to purchase or possess firearms? YES
Does the State impose an age-based ban on the purchase of rifles, shotguns, or handguns (or their ammunition) by 18-to-20 year-old adults? YES
Does the State impose a “rationing” ban (e.g., “1-in-30”) that limits how many firearms a person can lawfully purchase in a given time period? NO
Does the State impose a “waiting period” or “cooling-off period” ban (e.g., "10-day wait") that prevents people from taking possession of a firearm for a specific period of time following the purchase of a firearm? NO
Other
Does the State require mandatory registration of firearms (i.e., it maintains a list of arms sold and possessed in the State as well as their owners/possessors)? YES
Does the State lack strong state preemption that prevents political subdivisions (like counties and cities) from enacting gun control laws more stringent than the State’s? YES

There are only two states nationwide that are at 100%.

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The 2026 FPC State Freedom Index reflects the results of a survey completed in November 2025; changes to the law after the data date of the survey are not reflected. The FPC Freedom Index is intended to be updated on an annual basis. To learn more, see the Index Methodology.