The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has enacted an emergency rule permitting non-residents to apply for concealed carry permits, following a successful lawsuit filed by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF). The lawsuit, initiated in February 2024, challenged the city’s restrictive policies that barred non-residents from securing carry permits, thereby limiting their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights while in New York City.
The lawsuit highlighted the difficulties faced by millions of Americans who regularly visit or work in New York but were unable to carry firearms for self-defense due to the city’s stringent regulations. Under previous rules, only New York residents or those primarily employed in the city could apply for a permit, leaving non-residents without recourse.
In response to the legal challenge, the NYPD issued an emergency rule on August 6, 2024, which establishes a process for non-residents to apply for and obtain carry permits. This rule change ensures compliance with recent Supreme Court rulings, including the landmark decision in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen (2022), which struck down New York’s “proper cause” requirement for concealed carry licenses as unconstitutional.
Erich Pratt, senior vice president of GOA, said, “This is great news for the untold millions of Americans who either work or visit New York every year. It’s critical that everyone can exercise their inherent right to self-defense, but until now, anti-gunners in New York denied most Americans that basic right.” He also emphasized that GOA will closely monitor the implementation of the new rules to ensure they are applied fairly and efficiently.
The emergency rule requires non-resident applicants to meet several criteria, including providing character references, submitting to a background investigation, and completing a firearms training course. Additionally, non-residents must now follow specific procedures for purchasing and registering handguns in the city, including restrictions on the number of firearms that can be acquired within a 90-day period.
This development marks a significant shift in New York City’s gun control policies, aligning the city more closely with federal and state standards following recent Supreme Court decisions. The emergency rule will remain in effect for 60 days as the NYPD works to establish a permanent regulatory framework.
