[Glossary]
NYC gun license glossary
The words the process uses, in plain language — each linked to the page that covers it in full.
This glossary defines the terms you'll meet applying for a NYC gun license — from the CCIA and the License Division to premises vs. carry, the cohabitant affidavit, and recertification. Each entry is plain-language and links to the page that explains it in full. For anything specific to your own situation, we point you to a licensed attorney rather than give legal advice.
- 18-hour course
- New York's required firearms-safety training for a carry license: 16 hours of classroom instruction plus 2 hours of live-fire, with a written test passed at 80% or higher, taught by a state-approved instructor. More on 18-hour course→
- Carry license
- A handgun license that authorizes carrying a handgun concealed. The unrestricted carry license permits concealed carry without regard to a particular place of possession. More on carry license→
- CCIA (Concealed Carry Improvement Act)
- The 2022 New York State law that sets the current concealed-carry licensing requirements, including the 18-hour training and the social-media disclosure. More on ccia→
- Character reference
- A person who attests to your character as part of the application. Four character references are required, and each must be notarized. More on character reference→
- Cohabitant affidavit
- A notarized statement required from every adult who lives in your home, submitted as part of your application. More on cohabitant affidavit→
- DCJS
- The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services — the agency behind the state fingerprint fee and the approval of firearms-training instructors. More on dcjs→
- Disqualifying conviction
- A conviction — anywhere — for a felony or a “serious offense” as defined by New York law, which bars a handgun license. More on disqualifying conviction→
- Dismissed arrest
- An arrest whose charges were dismissed. It is still disclosed on a New York firearms application — a dismissal does not remove the disclosure obligation. More on dismissed arrest→
- Fingerprinting
- Taken in person at the NYPD License Division after your documents are reviewed; NYPD schedules it and collects the state fingerprint fee there. There is no third-party vendor for this license type. More on fingerprinting→
- Good moral character
- The statutory licensing standard: the essential character, temperament, and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a firearm. More on good moral character→
- LEOSA
- The federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (18 U.S.C. §926C). A qualified retired law-enforcement officer who meets its conditions may carry concealed, subject to the statute's limits and state carry-prohibited-place laws. More on leosa→
- License Division
- The NYPD unit that receives and investigates handgun-license applications in New York City, conducts the interview, and issues the decision. More on license division→
- Live-fire
- The 2-hour range portion of the 18-hour training, where you demonstrate safe, competent handling of a handgun in person. More on live-fire→
- Notarization
- Signing a document in front of a commissioned notary who verifies identity and witnesses the signature. New York permits remote online notarization over a live audio-video session. More on notarization→
- NYPD License Division interview
- A scheduled meeting, part of the investigation, where the License Division reviews your submitted application with you and asks about what's in it. More on nypd license division interview→
- Premises license
- A handgun license that authorizes possessing a handgun at one specified location — a dwelling or a place of business. It does not authorize carrying in public. More on premises license→
- Recertification
- The periodic confirmation New York requires on the State's schedule to keep a license from lapsing — distinct from renewing the license itself. More on recertification→
- Reciprocity
- Recognition of out-of-state permits. New York does not recognize handgun-carry permits issued by other states; a person generally must hold a valid New York license to carry a handgun in New York. More on reciprocity→
- Renewal
- Reapplying at the end of a license's term. NYPD mails renewal instructions; renewals need no character references but do require a current live-fire certificate. More on renewal→
- Safe storage
- New York's statutory rules for securing a handgun once you are licensed — a continuing legal obligation, not a one-time application step. More on safe storage→
- Sealed arrest
- An arrest record sealed under New York law (CPL Article 160). It is still disclosed on a New York firearms application; sealing does not remove the disclosure obligation. More on sealed arrest→
- Serious offense
- A category of offenses defined by New York law that can disqualify a handgun-license applicant. The specific list is statutory. More on serious offense→
- Social-media disclosure
- A three-year list of your social media accounts, which the application asks you to compile and submit. More on social-media disclosure→
- Special Carry license
- A distinct track for people who don't live in New York City but have a place of business here, or otherwise need to carry across city lines. More on special carry license→
- Term (license term)
- The length a license is valid before it must be renewed. A NYC carry license is issued for a three-year term. More on term→