NYC gun license for non-residents and business owners
You don't live in the five boroughs, but your work is here. That's a different track — here's the plain version.
If you don't live in New York City but you work here, run a business here, or own property here, you aren't stuck — there's a separate track for non-residents and business owners, and it works differently from a resident application. The two things to sort out first are which license you actually need (premises, tied to an address, versus carry) and how you document your connection to the city. The rules are set by the NYPD License Division and New York State, and they turn on your specific setup — so this page tells you how the tracks differ and then hands you to the official sources or to us.
Premises versus carry, in plain English
Premises
Tied to a place
A premises license attaches the handgun to an address — a home or a business location. You keep it there, and transporting it is limited. For a lot of business owners, that's the honest fit: the gun stays at the shop.
Carry
Tied to you
A carry license is about carrying the handgun with you rather than storing it at one address. It asks for more, and it takes longer. If your reason for wanting this is movement — cash runs, site visits, a commute — this is the conversation to have.
The Special Carrytrack is the one that usually comes up when your tie to the city is a business rather than an address. What it asks of you is set by the License Division and the State — we're not going to paraphrase those rules from memory and have you plan around our paraphrase. The official pages are collected on our resources page, and if you'd rather just describe your situation out loud, talk to us.
What we actually do
These files vary more than a standard resident application, so we scope them one at a time rather than dropping you into a package that doesn't fit.
- A dedicated track. We build the checklist around your setup — where you live, where the business is, what you need the license to let you do — instead of the generic one.
- Custom-scoped, flat fee. We look at your situation, tell you what it takes, and quote you before you commit. See pricing for the standard tracks.
- Documents and deadlines handled.Business records, references, affidavits, the training certificate's 6-month clock — we keep the sequence straight so nothing goes stale while you're chasing something else.
- You submit it. Always. We prepare and manage; the application is yours to review and file.
What holds true no matter where you live
A few things don't bend for non-residents. These are sourced — check them yourself:
You must be at least 21 years old to apply.
Set by NYPD License Division · source · we last checked 2026-07-14
New York's Concealed Carry Improvement Act requires 18 hours of training — 16 hours of classroom instruction plus 2 hours of live-fire — with a state-approved instructor, and a written test passed at 80% or higher.
Set by New York State (CCIA) · DCJS · source · we last checked 2026-07-14
Your training certificate must be dated within 6 months of when you file.
Set by New York State (CCIA) · source · we last checked 2026-07-14
You submit your own application. A consulting firm cannot file for you or represent you before the License Division — only a New York-licensed attorney may represent an applicant.
Set by NYPD License Division · source · we last checked 2026-07-14
Can I get a NYC gun license if I don't live in New York City?+
There's a separate track for people who don't live in the five boroughs but have a real, ongoing connection here — a business, a job, property, or a regular commute. It works differently from a resident application, and the specifics depend on your situation, so it's worth a conversation before you start gathering paperwork.
What's the difference between a premises license and a carry license?+
In plain terms: a premises license is tied to a place — you keep the handgun at that home or business address, with limited transport. A carry license lets you carry it. They ask for different things and they're not interchangeable, so pick the one that matches what you actually need before you file.
What is the Special Carry license?+
It's the NYC track that comes up for people whose connection to the city is a business or work rather than a residence. The rules are set by the NYPD License Division and New York State, not by us — we won't paraphrase them here. Read the official pages on our resources page, or call us and we'll walk through your setup.
Do the training rules change if I'm not a NYC resident?+
New York's 18-hour training requirement is a state rule, and the certificate has to be dated within 6 months of when you file. Where you live doesn't change the clock on that.
Can you file the application for my business?+
No. You submit your own application, always — a consulting firm can't submit for you or represent you before the License Division. What we do is prepare the documents, keep the sequence straight, and manage the case so nothing expires while you're waiting on something else.
How much does the non-resident track cost?+
It's scoped case by case, because these files vary a lot more than a standard resident application. Tell us your situation and we'll quote a flat fee before you commit to anything.
Every non-resident case is a little different. Start with the basics, or just call (929) 352-5961.
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