Disqualifying Factors for a Pistol or Semi-automatic Rifle Permit. You have been convicted of any misdemeanor offense in any jurisdiction or in the former penal law that includes all of the essential elements of a felony offense as defined in the current penal law.
It is illegal to possess an unregistered handgun. Open carry is not addressed in New York state law, although a New York Pistol License (NYPL) is required to possess a loaded handgun outside of the home or place of business. Concealed carry is only legal with a NYPL.
Processing Time The background investigation for a pistol permit takes approximately 6 to 12 months but is dependent upon the applicant's diligence and timely submission of documents.
Possession of handguns, rifles, or shotguns in New York City requires a license or a permit issued by the NYPD License Division. The City issues licenses to own a handgun and permits for rifles and shotguns. You can apply online or in person. You must be 21 years of age.
You must be at least 21 years old and complete the proper training administrated by live instruction. An online course is not accepted. There are two choices for a pistol license: Premise License Only and Concealed Carry. If you wish to apply for the premise license, you need to complete the Basic Pistol Safety Course.
Processing Time The background investigation for a pistol permit takes approximately 6 to 12 months but is dependent upon the applicant's diligence and timely submission of documents.
Now with that being said in NY state obtaining a pistol permit is not a small hurdle. It's generally not a difficult process for most people it's just long. I would start the handgun process immediately as there is a lot of wait time built into that process.
The process for obtaining a handgun license in New York City is long (between 3 – 6 months, and waits up to 8-10 months are not entirely uncommon), and compared to many other jurisdictions, rather expensive. It's not particularly difficult, but it is tedious and incredibly time consuming.