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Permits \| Gun Licensing FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
	How do I apply for a handgun license? Where can I obtain a handgun license application form? Does the application need to be typed? Do I have to disclose my arrest history if the charges against me were dismissed and sealed? Where can I obtain a rifle/shotgun application? I have a rifle/shotgun permit already; do I still need to be fingerprinted for a handgun license? How much does it cost to apply for a handgun license? Can I go target shooting outside NYC? Can I go hunting if I have a premises residence license? May I purchase an “assault weapon” now that the federal assault weapons ban has expired? What do I have to do to purchase a new handgun? What do I have to do to sell a handgun? I’m moving to another residence in NYC, how do I update my handgun license? I’m moving to another residence outside NYC, can I keep my NYC handgun license? I did not receive my handgun license renewal application, what should I do? My license expired, what do I do now? I was arrested, what should I do now? The police came to my house during a domestic dispute; do I have to report this to the License Division? How do I get an armed guard license? Can I still apply for an armed guard license if I live outside NYC? I’m an armed guard; can I transport my firearm to and from home to work? How do I apply for a rifle/shotgun permit? How much does it cost to apply for a rifle/shotgun permit? What is your telephone number? Where are your offices located? How do I apply for a handgun license? Applicants must personally appear and submit a signed and notarized application to the License Division when applying. Fees may be paid by credit card or with two money orders. The application fee is $340.00. The fingerprint fee is $94.25 for Livescan prints. The fee for inked prints is $105.25. If you are paying with money orders, the money orders should be made payable to the “New York City Police Department.” Return to top Where can I obtain a handgun license application form? You can pick up a handgun license application from the License Division offices located in 1 Police Plaza, Room 110, or, you can download an application package from this page. Click the Handgun Licensing Forms link in the left column to download the application package. You will need Adobe Reader to display and complete the form. Return to top Does the application need to be typed? Yes, NYC rules require your application to be typed. The online application package allows you to fill in the form on your computer and print out a completed copy for submission to the License Division. Return to top Do I have to disclose my arrest history if the charges against me were dismissed and sealed? Yes, New York State Criminal Procedure Law §160.50 (1)(d)(iii) grants the License Division authority to obtain the sealed criminal records of any person who has applied for a license to possess guns. License Division rules require all applicants to disclose their arrest history and submit a Certificate of Disposition showing the offense and dispostion of the charges, along with a notarized statement describing the circumstances surrounding each arrest. This information must be provided even if the case was dismissed, the record sealed or the case nullified by operation of law. Failure or refusal to disclose this information will result in the disapproval of your application for a license or permit. Return to top Where can I obtain a rifle/shotgun application? Rifle/shotgun applications are available from the Rifle/Shotgun Section which is located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room B-11, Kew Gardens, NY, or, you can download an application package from this page. Click the Rifle/Shotgun Application Permits link in the left column to download the application package. You will need Adobe Reader to display and complete the form. Return to top I have a rifle/shotgun permit already; do I still need to be fingerprinted for a handgun license? Yes, NYS law requires all handgun license applicants to be fingerprinted. Return to top How much does it cost to apply for a handgun license? The application fee for a handgun license is $340.00. There is also a $94.25 fee for fingerprints done on the Livescan machine. (If you need inked prints, the fee is $105.25.) These fees may be paid by credit card or with money orders when you submit your application. Money orders should be made payable to the “New York City Police Department.” Return to top Can I go target shooting outside NYC? A NYC carry business license is valid throughout NYS. Premise residence and premise business licenses are only valid in NYC except as indicated in the next section. Return to top Can I go hunting if I have a premises residence license? You must obtain a hunting authorization from the License Division to hunt in an authorized area designated by the NYS Fish and Wildlife law. Your handgun must be transported unloaded, in a locked container and you must comply with all relevant NYS hunting regulations. Return to top May I purchase an “assault weapon” now that the federal assault weapons ban has expired? No, both NYS law and the NYC Administrative Code prohibit ownership of assault weapons. Return to top What do I have to do to purchase a new handgun? You must obtain a Handgun Purchase Authorization form from the License Division before you purchase a handgun. Call the Purchase Order Section at (646) 610-5550 for information. After purchasing the handgun, you must bring it to the License Division within 72 hours to have the make, model and serial number recorded on your handgun license. Return to top What do I have to do to sell a handgun? Before selling a handgun listed on your license, you must notify the License Division at (646) 610-5154. When you contact the License Division you will be advised on the proper procedures to follow to complete the sale. Failure to notify the License Division that you are selling a handgun is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Return to top I’m moving to another residence in NYC; how do I update my handgun license? If you have moved, you must come to the License Division, Room 152 within ten days with a completed and notarized ADDRESS/EMPLOYMENT CHANGE REPORT form and proof of your new address in order to amend your license. You may download and complete a copy of the ADDRESS/EMPLOYMENT CHANGE REPORT form by clicking here . Return to top I’m moving to another residence outside NYC; can I keep my NYC handgun license? If you have a premises residence license, you must contact the Cancellation Section at (646) 610-5871 and cancel your NYC license. You may apply for a new license from the licensing officer of the county where your new residence is located. If you are licensed for business reasons and your business remains in NYC you must come to the License Division, Room 152 within ten days with a completed and notarized ADDRESS/EMPLOYMENT CHANGE REPORT form and proof of your new address in order to update your file. You may download and complete a copy of the ADDRESS/EMPLOYMENT CHANGE REPORT form by clicking here . Return to top I did not receive my handgun license renewal application; what should I do? If your license has not yet expired, contact the Renewal Section at (646) 610-5872 for instructions. Return to top My license expired; what do I do now? If your license has already expired, you must voucher your handguns with your local precinct and send a copy of the voucher to the Renewal Section. Contact the Renewal Section at (646) 610-5872 for instructions on how to proceed. Remember, possession of an unlicensed handgun is a crime and may subject you to arrest and imprisonment. Return to top I was arrested; what should I do now? You must immediately report your arrest to the License Division Incident Section at (646) 610-5872. Your case will be assigned to an investigator and you will receive instructions regarding your license and handgun(s). Return to top The police came to my house during a domestic dispute; do I have to report this to the License Division? Yes, if the police came to your house during a domestic dispute, you must immediately notify the License Division Incident Section at (646) 610-5154. Your case will be assigned to an investigator and you will receive instructions regarding you license and handgun(s). Return to top How do I get an armed guard license? You may apply for a carry guard license at the License Division’s offices in 1 Police Plaza. You must also obtain a NYS armed guard identification card in order to qualify for this license. Return to top Can I still apply for an armed guard license if I live outside NYC? Yes, if your employer is located within NYC, you may apply for a NYC carry guard license. Return to top I’m an armed guard; can I transport my firearm to and from home to work? Under certain circumstances you may transport your handgun to and from your place of employment to your residence. If you are authorized to do this, you must transport your handgun directly from your home to you place of employment, and then directly to your home after work. Call the Carry Guard Section if you have any questions (646) 610-4611. Return to top How do I apply for a rifle/shotgun permit? You must submit a completed rifle/shotgun permit application to the Rifle/Shotgun Section. The Rifle/Shotgun Section is located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens NY. The telephone number is 718-520-9300. Return to top How much does it cost to apply for a rifle/shotgun permit? The application fee for a permit is $140.00. You must also pay a fingerprint fee of $94.25 for fingerprints done on the Livescan machine. The fee for inked prints is $105.25. All fees may be paid by credit card or with two money orders made payable to the “New York City Police Department.” Return to top What Is Your Telephone Number? Main Number 646-610-5560 Fax 646-610-6399 New Applications 646-610-5551 Carry Guards 646-610-4611 Issuing 646-610-5550 Cancellations 646-610-5871 Carry Business 646-610-6289 Rifle Shotgun Section 718-520-9300 Hearings 646-610-5873 Incidents 646-610-5154 Fax 646-610-7672 Retirees 646-610-5536 Purchase Orders 646-610-5550 Renewals 646-610-5872 Gun Custodians 646-610-5936 Return to top Where are your offices located? License Division 1 Police Plaza, Room 110 New York, NY 10038 Rifle/Shotgun Section 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room B-11 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Return to top