NY State gun laws and practices?

[JimGnitecki]

After a LONG period of unemployment, helped only by temporary jobs, I finallly have an apparent opportunity to work for a few months, at decent pay, in my normal IT project manager capacity at a company in Buffalo, NY.

Now, in Texas where I live, I not only have a CHL, but in addition, I am licensed by the state as a commissioned security officer. I am used to carrying concealed, and especially want to do so when traveling. None of that means anything in NY State though, if I am understanding the information I see on The Web on reciprocity of recognizing permits from other states. Apparently, NY State is a "may issue" state, not a shall issue state, and recognizes no other states' CHLs.

So, I already know I cannot carry in NYS.

I also know I can by Federal law trasnport my handgun THROUGH any state, regardless of local laws, provided that it is unloaded, in a locked case, and not readily deployable from the driver or passenger positions in a vehicle.

But, what I am wondering, is:

1. Can I as a non-resident visitor staying for a few months still POSSESS a handgun in NYS? (like at a temp apartment, e.g.)

2. Can I as a non-resident visitor staying for a few months still practice my shooting at a gun range?

3. If I can possess a handgun, where can I legally keep my gun between range sessions, and how must I transport and store it?

Hopefully, some of you NY State residents can fill me in on not only the applicable state (and county or local?) laws, but also the prevailing enforcement practices and preferences.

Anyone?

Jim G

 

[Pate]

You can only bring a handgun into NYS for a registered shooting match. Beside that you're out of luck.


Non-residents

It is unlawful for any person to carry, possess or transport a handgun in or through the state unless he has a valid New York license. (A provision of federal law provides a defense to state or local laws which would prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate travel if the person is traveling from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport a firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm and the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console).

A member or coach of an accredited college or university target pistol team may transport a handgun into or through New York to participate in a collegiate, Olympic or target pistol shooting competition provided that the handgun is unloaded and carried in a locked carrying case and the ammunition is carried in a separate locked container.

Non-resident target shooters may enter or pass through New York State with handguns for the purposes of any NRA approved competition or IHMSA sanctioned match, within 48 hours of the competition, if the competitor has in his possession a copy of the match program, proof of entry and a pistol license from his state of residence. The handgun must be unloaded and transported in a locked opaque container. This provision does not apply in NY cities not wholly contained within a single county or to people with felony convictions.

Possession of firearms by a person who is a nonresident of this state is lawful while attending or traveling to or from an organized convention or exhibition approved by the NRA, and in which the nonresident is a registered participant within forty-eight hours of such event, provided that the nonresident has not been previously convicted of a felony and further provided that the firearms are transported unloaded in a locked opaque container together with a copy of the convention or exhibition program, convention or exhibition schedule or convention or exhibition registration card. This provision does not apply in NY cities not wholly contained within a single county.

A non-immigrant alien may possess a rifle or shotgun for use while hunting provided he has a valid hunting license issued by New York State and an approved gun import form from the BATFE.

 

[OffArtist]

Yeah- Pate's got it there. I have a house in Long Island and when I got my CCW actually called the Suffolk co. sheriffs dept and spoke to a very nice detective who was in charge of the permitting process. I asked if I could bring a rifle - he said "You can bring ANY rifle you want, as long as it was made before the AWB, if it was made after there are restrictions". I said - "So, I can bring my 75' AK with me, as long as the ammo is locked up separately" he said "Yes, absolutely". I said, what if I want to bring a pistol with me, I have my CCW here in PA and I carry on a daily basis". He said "don't, I repeat, Dont - bring ANY pistol to NY". We spoke for awhile and he definitely didn't agree with the BS, but he sure told me what was what and actually thanked me for being so nice about it! He said most people from out of state just give him a hard time (go figure).
FWIW, (and I know this ain't exactly high-roadin it) - but I've met more than one gun guy I've mentioned this to and they've said that when they go to New York state or NYC they just carry anyway since NY isn't concerned with our safety while we're there. When I go every summer I don't bring my pistol, but when go out I seriously feel naked while I'm there.

 

[whalerman]

I'm happy that you found employment and sincerely hope things work out well for you. If you are a person who takes his rights seriously, NY will soon demonstrate to you why you can never consider becoming a full time resident of the Empire State. Best advise I can give you is to use a defense shotgun. But don't load it in a vehicle. No long flashlights. No billyclubs or evil looking knives. You have little chance of securing a pistol permit in the few months you plan to be here.

This is in many ways a wonderful state. LE aren't to blame. We've slowly lost many of the rights you in other states take for granted.

 

[JimGnitecki]

Wow, thanks guys.

I guess I will be defenseless throughout my stay in NYS.

Jim G

 

[hardworker]

Don't get caught...

 

[kingpin008]

Jim - With all due respect, firearms are not one's only means of defense. Look into your options regarding blades, chemical/pepper sprays, kubotans, and canes. Many options exist for self-defense with a weapon besides guns.

Good luck, glad your jobless spell is over!

 

[springfield30-06]

Don't get caught...

How about don't risk it. You are not legally allowed to even TOUCH a handgun in NY without a NY State pistol permit, NY doesn't recognize any other states CCW and there is no such thing as a non-resident permit in NY.

Just for a little more info, every handgun that you own has the make, model, caliber and if its semi or revolver printed on it which costs about $3 (may vary according to county) to add or remove one when you buy or sell one of your handguns.

 

[JimGnitecki]

Yes, I see very clearly that I cannot have any handgun in NYS. And, I would not want to try bringing one in violation of the law - any felony or 1st class misdemeanor conviction would immediately trash my commissioned security officer license in Texas, along with probably my TX CHL as well! So, even if I were inclined to try to break the law (which I'm not), it would have dire consequences.

Yes, there are other self-defense options, BUT I have 45 years of shooting experience, have been trained multiple times at Chapman Academy, have been personally trained by a LEO who is also a firearms trainer, etc, so I am being denied the right to protect myself using the very best skill sets I have. Anything else I do I will be an amateur at. Besides, it would be foolish to invest in all the training required to protect myself any other way, as the assignment in NYS is temporary and of uncertain duration.

There are only three states I can think of that do not honor non-resident CHL permits (NYS, IL, and WI), so my skill sets and licensing is valid most places. But, this particular time, I will not only have to go unarmed in NYS, but will also of necessity be unarmed traveling there from Texas, and then later returning.

Seems really unfair that in Texas I am a trained and licensed armed security officer, but in NYS I can't be armed.

Jim G

 

[whalerman]

Forget the logic, My Friend. NYS isn't about logic. It's about votes that have been sold to the ignorant. As a law abiding citizen of NY I would be honored to have a law abiding citizen of the State of Texas armed and joining us on the streets of our state. But that probably won't happen.

If you're gonna be in Buffalo, get a Bills sticker and put it in a prominent place on your car or truck. That could be as useful as a baseball bat at a bad time, and it will ensure you a friend or two. A Buffalo Sabres sticker can do the same, and that's an even rougher crowd. I do wish you the best.

 

[friscolatchi]

My suggestion is to get a sub-2000 but make sure that you have 10 rounds mags. It still needs to be locked when traveling but I'm sure that you can arrange a rapid deployment strategy. Hope this helps.

PS +1 on the above post. I have mulled moving to another state but I'm not sure which one. I put out a thread a few months ago and received amazing advice. It have deceided to become more pro active here. Maybe we can change things for the better.

 

[Art Eatman]

The subject has now been well covered...