First-time buyer: New York City laws & places to buy.

[the sloth]

Hi.

I live in New York, one of the stricter anti-gun cities.

I'd like to purchase a handgun for self-defense. I've had the occasional run-in, but last night affected someone else. My girlfriend called me up as she was coming off the train station, four blocks from our house -- she was being harassed by some typical crackhead/rapist, and didn't tell me what the F was going on: "Leave quickly!", and that was it. My brother and I thought there was a group of idiots out there (my neighborhood is a bit notorious for that), so we grabbed the knives, and ran out. Luckily for us, and perhaps for the culprit, he was gone by then. That was the end of it.

Regardless, I'd like to stop taking chances. I'm not much of a fan of weaponry or violence, but I'd rather not get stabbed at night. So, I have decided to buy a gun for me and my girlfriend, and have a few questions (I am 20 years old, by the way):

1) I was looking at some online stores. Which one is the best ?

2) What is a dependable, inexpensive beginner's gun, with little recoil ? Remember, this is not for show; just a self-defense tool I will hopefully never have to use.

3) I obviously cannot get a "concealed carry" permit in New York City. At the same time, I do plan on fully registering it, with all the permits required, etc., for at-home use. I also plan on taking it outside with me occasionally, depending on where I'm going (e.g., coming home late at night on the subway; walking long distances at night). I have no criminal history, am well-regarded in the community & university, etc. -- knowing all of that, what would be the penalty if I do get stopped and discovered in New York City ? Although I don't think that will ever be a problem, as I've never been stopped once, anywhere, I'd still like to know the risks.

Thank you !

 

[captlid]

As a fellow subject in nyc, I know you're only 20, but save up some money and find a good attorney who specializes in this stuff in nyc. They will be better to answer your question about something like that.

There is a gun shop in brooklyn on new utretch ave and 79st street. Take the D train there. There you might get a good connection to find a good lawyer.

There is also a range in brooklyn on ft hamilton pkwy around 65th street.

 

[v35]

Welcome to THR.

I also plan on taking it outside with me occasionally, ... -- knowing all of that, what would be the penalty if I do get stopped and discovered in New York City ?

Don't. It's not worth it. You may eventually move to a shall-issue state where you may live as a free man, but a felony conviction from NYC will follow you around the rest of your life.

NY and gun-grabbers everywhere want you to be defenseless like this woman. It's much more noble, you see.

I have no criminal history, am well-regarded in the community & university, etc.

Unfortunately you are exactly the kind of person gun laws oppress the most.

 

[distortion9]

Join the NYPD or get famous...the only two ways to carry legally in NYC.

I also plan on taking it outside with me occasionally, ... -- knowing all of that, what would be the penalty if I do get stopped and discovered in New York City ?

Dude...be careful with that one. "Occasionally" can easily turn into "always"....NYC does have a stop and frisk policy, couple that with the possibility that you can get hit by a cab/bus or get into a fight at any given moment and you can see how quickly you can get discovered.

 

[distortion9]

Sorry, double post

 

[Bridger]

You won't be able to purchase any firearm in NYC until you are 21. You'll need to go through the few months it takes of paperwork and trips to 1PP, and even then you won't be able to carry concealed.

If a cop were to stop you with the gun, you'd be treated like a common thug, since almost nobody has a concealed carry permit in NYC beyond Federal agents, Police Officers, and a few rich and famous.

 

[lionken07]

I lived in NYC for pretty much all my teenage years and then a few more after that. I left because:
-The keep at home license cost $400.00+ and $200.00 every year after that to keep.
-It took me i think total of 8 months to obtain a keep in your house license and a few trips to the Police plaza.
-Interviewed twice just to get the license.
-all handguns have to be listed on the license.
-no way of getting CCW...

You would have to wait another year to even apply for it (min 21). The trouble that you would have to go thru just to have a handgun at home is just not worth it (This is coming from someone that have been there and done that).

Like V35 said, if you carry illegally and the great NYPD finds out you will never be able to own a handgun legally again. NYC is the wrong place for gun owners.

 

[Prince Yamato]

My advice to you would be to either get the "premises" license and a 2 oz can of pepper spray OR move to CT, get your ccw, and buy spray to carry in NYC. Unlicensed carry in NYC is a felony. I think it's 3 years mandatory imprisonment. I wouldn't even bother applying for CCW because if you are denied and move to another state, one of the common questions on most CCW applications is:
Have you ever been denied CCW in any other state. You will be legally obliged to answer "YES". In which case, it may delay you or make you ineligible for CCW in other states.

 

[Jim K]

Strange, but it seems that higher ups in the Mafia are able to get valid NYC pistol carry permits. Maybe Bloomberg considers them honest businessmen or maybe they contribute big bucks to his "campaign fund."

Jim

 

[distortion9]

Strange, but it seems that higher ups in the Mafia are able to get valid NYC pistol carry permits. Maybe Bloomberg considers them honest businessmen or maybe they contribute big bucks to his "campaign fund."

Jim

Sadly, not much has changed since the days of "Big Tim" Sullivan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_Act

 

[Ultrachimp]

Strange, but it seems that higher ups in the Mafia are able to get valid NYC pistol carry permits. Maybe Bloomberg considers them honest businessmen or maybe they contribute big bucks to his "campaign fund."

Jim

The Mafia is nice!!! They give money to charitable causes!!!

To the OP - hey, be careful about unlicensed CC - it might be easier to get a shotgun at home instead, since you can't CC in NYC anyway. If you get caught the cops don't have the ability to distinguish between thugs and good people - it's been trained out of them - so they'll ship you off to prison & slap you with a felony conviction. Completely undeserved etc., but hey, that's the hand of government protecting you! Doesn't it feel great?

I feel your pain, I'm on a safe zone - a college campus, where no one ever gets shot! I feel so safe here, where no one is armed!

lolwut?

 

[shookwell]

The NYPD recently put the application form up on their website. You used to have to go in person to 1PP to get an application, so this is a good thing.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/permits/handgun_licensing_application.shtml

 

[shookwell]

double post (the internet is broken)

 

[Sistema1927]

That NYC application is scary.

 

[Pete409]

I have a feeling that "The Sloth" is simply some cop trolling for someone who will offer to sell him an illegal pistol. His language is not typical (IMO) for a 20 year old. This is his first post on this forum.

Besides, any 20 year old in NYC who "has had the occasional run-in" would know where to purchase an illegal handgun if he/she wanted to do so. They wouldn't have to come to an internet forum to ask the question.

Sorry "Sloth" if I blew your cover, but you'll just have to go fishing elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are not a cop who is fishing for a sucker, welcome to the board.

 

[Scanr]

Bloomberg is that you?

 

[hnk45acp]

from a fellow ny-er: If you are serious about protecting yourself and GF. Apply for a long-gun/shotgun permit. It's not as onerous a procedure. Get yourself a shotgun for your home then go for the pistol license when you are 21. It is the ONLY thing you can/should do at this point.

 

[Ultrachimp]

I have a feeling that "The Sloth" is simply some cop trolling for someone who will offer to sell him an illegal pistol. His language is not typical (IMO) for a 20 year old. This is his first post on this forum.

Besides, any 20 year old in NYC who "has had the occasional run-in" would know where to purchase an illegal handgun if he/she wanted to do so. They wouldn't have to come to an internet forum to ask the question.

Sorry "Sloth" if I blew your cover, but you'll just have to go fishing elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are not a cop who is fishing for a sucker, welcome to the board.

lol ownt much?

I wish I was on a forum that got constantly fished by the police. Especially local PDs, on the lookout to ensnare their neighbors for disobeying unjust laws. The same local PDs we can rely on to comfort our families when we go down to a threat we could have neutralized if we'd been allowed to. Thanks.

Coppers need to let us defend ourselves as well as protect us. They're doing the best they can at the second part - they just need to realize how vital the first part is.

And sloth - if you're not a copper - sorry

 

[Bridger]

Cops in NYC have much more important things to do than troll any internet forum, even such a fine place as THR here. There are plenty of gun collars to be found on people who should legitimately not have firearms.

 

[the sloth]

I have a feeling that "The Sloth" is simply some cop trolling for someone who will offer to sell him an illegal pistol. His language is not typical (IMO) for a 20 year old. This is his first post on this forum.

I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not.

Besides, any 20 year old in NYC who "has had the occasional run-in" would know where to purchase an illegal handgun if he/she wanted to do so. They wouldn't have to come to an internet forum to ask the question.

Well, you're right about the first thing -- I certainly do know where to purchase an illegal handgun. But, I'm asking questions on the forum so that I don't have to -- like I said, I'm not a fan of weapons or violence, but if I have to tolerate either, I'd like to stay legit and not worry about prison.

On the other hand, if you are not a cop who is fishing for a sucker, welcome to the board.

Well, thank you.

Actually, thanks for the replies -- I didn't know NYC laws were that strict. Every time I'd see those, "3 years in prison" for an illegal handgun, I thought it meant an ILLEGAL gun, not a LEGAL gun being carried around illegally. Perhaps there's no difference there ?

 

[Pete409]

Ultrachimp wrote:

lol ownt much?

Huh????

 

[Pete409]

Bridger wrote:

Cops in NYC have much more important things to do than troll any internet forum

Who said the cop was from NYC? They could be anywhere. All they need is somone to contact them and OFFER to sell them a gun illegally and BINGO, they've committed a crime.

 

[CountGlockula]

Before you do anything: TAKE a self defense handgun course.

 

[strat81]

Sloth, I feel bad for you. I left Staten Island 2 years ago and never looked back. Two friends also left; all three of us are now law-abiding citizens and gun owners.

Under no conditions should you take that gun out of your house unless you are transporting it to a range or gunshop (in a locked container, unloaded). If you get caught, it's a felony. I'm sure the boys in Sing-Sing or Riker's will find you very... pretty. Be careful.

If you are in good physical condition, consider learning martial arts. There are a lot of schools in the NY/NJ area and, while it isn't the same as a gun, it's better than harsh words.

As others have said, getting a premise license is gonna be a royal pain. If you decide to go with a shotgun, you may have some trouble finding a place to practice. You might have to go to LI, PA, CT, or upstate. Most of the private shotgun clubs in NYC are very expensive. If you do get a shotgun, a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 (in either 12ga or 20ga) are very good choices.

As for a pistol, I'm not sure what your budget is, but 9mm will be the least amount of recoil in a fairly decent self-defense caliber. A CZ-75 (or variant), Glock 19, Springfield XD, or Smith & Wesson M&P are all great choices. You might want to go with a used gun (S&W 5906, 5946) first and once you get better, move up to a .40 or .45.

You have a magazine-capacity limit in NY, so if you're limited to 10, you may as well make them as big & nasty as possible. I have a 17-rd Taurus in my nightstand, but only because it's 17 rounds. If I was limited to 10, it'd be a .45.

If you like revolvers, a S&W 686 or 686+ is a great choice. You can load it with .38s at first and move up to .357 Mag when you get better.

P.S. Move.

 

[Michael in LH]

I just read through the application and I am astounded. I have been to the east coast on a number of occassions and even lived in DC / N. VA for a year but NYC must be a totally different world. With such draconian requirements for getting a firearm it is surprising that anyone would even try. I'd just move to CT or better yet, somewhere out west where everyone knows that guns are good.