No — open carry is generally not legal in New York, especially when it comes to handguns. New York allows certain people to apply for a license to carry a pistol or revolver, but the state’s system is built around concealed carry, not openly carrying a gun in public.
The New York Attorney General’s office has clearly stated that New York does not allow handguns to be carried openly at all. The 2022 Supreme Court decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen made it easier to apply for a concealed carry license by removing the old “proper cause” requirement, but it did not legalize open carry in New York.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The Basic Rule
In New York, you cannot simply walk around openly carrying a handgun. A pistol or revolver license may allow carrying in certain situations, but that does not mean the weapon can be openly displayed in public.
New York’s pistol licensing law says a license must show whether it is issued to “carry on the person” or only to “possess on the premises.” The law also requires the licensee to carry the license while carrying the pistol or revolver and show it to law enforcement when required.
So the key point is simple: having a firearm license does not automatically mean open carry is allowed.
Concealed Carry vs Open Carry
Concealed carry means the firearm is carried in a hidden manner, usually under clothing or otherwise not visible to the public.
Open carry means the firearm is visible, such as on the hip, shoulder, chest, or openly carried in the hand.
New York’s public carry system is focused on concealed carry licenses. The state’s own gun safety FAQ repeatedly refers to a “concealed carry license,” and says people who only have a premises license cannot carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside the home.
That means a person should not assume that a New York pistol license gives permission to openly carry a handgun.
Can You Open Carry a Handgun in New York?
No. Open carry of handguns is not allowed in New York for ordinary civilians. Even after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, New York did not become an open-carry state.
The decision changed one part of New York’s concealed carry approval system. It did not remove the state’s licensing requirement, and it did not create a right to openly carry handguns in public. The Attorney General’s explanation makes this distinction clearly.
What About Rifles and Shotguns?
Rifles and shotguns are treated differently from handguns, but that does not mean a person can freely carry them anywhere in public.
New York has strict rules for firearms, rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic rifles, assault weapons, transport, and sensitive locations. Since September 2022, a semi-automatic rifle license is required to purchase or take ownership of a semi-automatic rifle in New York.
Also, possession of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun is banned in many “sensitive locations,” including government buildings, healthcare facilities, schools, colleges, public transportation, parks, libraries, bars, restaurants serving alcohol, theaters, stadiums, polling places, and Times Square.
So even where long-gun rules are different, carrying a visible rifle or shotgun in public can still create serious legal risk.
Does New York City Have Stricter Rules?
Yes. New York City is stricter than many other parts of the state. A New York pistol or revolver license issued outside the city is generally not valid inside New York City unless special authorization is issued by the New York City Police Commissioner.
This is very important. A person may have a license from another New York county, but that does not automatically give full permission to carry in New York City.
Are There Restricted Places Even With a License?
Yes. Even people with a concealed carry license cannot carry in many sensitive locations. New York law bans firearms, rifles, and shotguns in listed sensitive places, subject to limited exceptions. These places include schools, public transportation, parks, libraries, bars, restaurants serving alcohol, theaters, stadiums, healthcare facilities, and Times Square.
So a license is not a free pass to carry anywhere.
What About Hunting or Special Activities?
Some activities, such as lawful hunting, training, historical reenactments, security work, law enforcement duties, or official employment, may have special rules or exceptions. New York’s sensitive-location FAQ lists limited exceptions, including people lawfully engaged in hunting activity and certain law enforcement, security, military, and official-duty roles.
But these exceptions are not the same as general open carry for the public.
Is New York Planning to Legalize Open Carry?
There has been a proposal in the New York Legislature to expand certain firearm licenses to include open carry, but that bill is listed as active and referred to the Codes Committee. It has not become the general law allowing open carry in New York.
So as of now, New York should still be treated as a state where handgun open carry is not legal for ordinary civilians.
Final Answer
Open carry is not legal in New York for ordinary handgun carrying. New York allows licensed concealed carry in certain cases, but it does not allow people to openly carry handguns in public. Rifles and shotguns are governed by different rules, but public carry is still restricted by state law, local rules, licensing requirements, transport rules, and sensitive-location bans.
The safest legal answer is this: New York is not an open-carry state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is open carry legal in New York?
No. Open carry of handguns is not legal for ordinary civilians in New York.
Q2. Can I open carry a handgun if I have a New York pistol permit?
No. A New York pistol permit does not automatically allow open carry. New York’s system is for licensed concealed carry, not openly displaying a handgun.
Q3. Did the Supreme Court make open carry legal in New York?
No. The Bruen decision removed New York’s old “proper cause” rule for concealed carry licenses, but it did not legalize open carry.
Q4. Is concealed carry legal in New York?
Yes, but only with the proper concealed carry license and only where carrying is allowed.
Q5. Can I carry a gun in New York City with a license from another county?
Usually not without special New York City authorization. Licenses issued outside New York City are generally not valid in the city unless the NYPD grants special permission.
Q6. Can I carry a gun in Times Square?
Generally no. Times Square is listed as a sensitive location where firearms are prohibited, subject only to narrow exceptions.
Q7. Can I carry a gun in parks or public transportation?
Generally no. New York lists public parks and public transportation as sensitive locations where firearms, rifles, and shotguns are prohibited.
Q8. Can I open carry a rifle or shotgun in New York?
This is more complicated than handgun open carry, but carrying rifles or shotguns in public is heavily restricted by state law, local rules, transport laws, and sensitive-location bans.
Q9. Can I open carry while hunting?
Lawful hunting has separate rules and limited exceptions, but that does not create a general right to open carry in public places.
Q1o. What is the safest rule to remember?
Do not openly carry a gun in New York unless you have confirmed that your exact situation is legally allowed. For ordinary civilians, New York is not an open-carry state.