New York does not have full state preemption of local firearms laws. Penal Law Article 265 sets the statewide floor, but localities β especially New York City β impose stricter licensing under the Sullivan Law (1911). Cities may regulate firearms in areas not occupied by state law.
New York occupies much of the firearms regulatory field through Penal Law Article 265 and the State Administrative Procedure framework, but it does not fully preempt local action. The Sullivan Law of 1911 (codified in Penal Law Β§400.00) requires a license issued by the local licensing officer β typically a county judge upstate, or the NYPD License Division in New York City β to possess a handgun. After the Supreme Court struck down NY's "proper cause" requirement in NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), the Legislature passed the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (Chapter 371 of 2022), which expanded "sensitive locations" where carry is prohibited and added training requirements. The NY SAFE Act (2013) bans assault weapons and limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds. Localities, particularly NYC, layer additional rules on registration, transport, and ammunition sales.
Possession of an unlicensed handgun is a class C or E felony under Penal Law Β§265.01-b/Β§265.03. Penalties include 3.5-15 years prison. NYC violations of NYC Admin Code Β§10-131 add separate penalties up to $1,000 and one year jail.
White Plains, NY
Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers cannot be stored on streets. Residential zoning restricts storage in driveways and front yards β typically rear or...
White Plains, NY
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW cannot park overnight on residential streets. Delivery and service trucks allowed during active work only; daytime co...
White Plains, NY
Overnight on-street parking is restricted in many White Plains neighborhoods (typically 3 a.m.β5 a.m. prohibition unless posted otherwise). Residents may pur...
White Plains, NY
Retaining walls over 4 ft high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a Building Department permit and engineered drawings. Walls supportin...
White Plains, NY
White Plains prohibits chickens, roosters, and livestock in residential zones. City is urban/suburban and not zoned for agricultural use. No backyard chicken...
White Plains, NY
White Plains enforces the New York State Property Maintenance Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225) and Fire Code through its Department of Building. Single- or multiple...
See how White Plains's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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