[mikeb3185]

i am a ccw holder in new york and i am also married. my wife has been shooting with me many times (btw she usually outshoots me:banghead: ) if i was not home and she used my pistol to defend herself would/could she be held legally responsable.

[Hawkmoon]

Dunno.

Rather than rely on opinions from Internet commandos like us, you would be better served getting an opinion from an attorney in New York state.

I will comment that various postings I've seen on this forum (accuracy and veracity unknown) indicate that a non-holder of a permit isn't even allowed to touch a handgun in NY state. I cannot begin to guess whether or not such a draconian restriction would extend to within the walls of your own home. The fact that you have a permit is a red herring. The point is ... your wife does not.

I repeat: call a lawyer.

[Clean97GTI]

Not knowing how NY's laws work, I'm not sure.
I'd assume that she would be held responsible for her actions (if it was determined to be defense, then no big deal) as opposed to what politically motivated liars (read: politicians) talk about when they blame violence on guns.