How to Get an FFL in New York

The federal FFL types are the same nationwide. Most New York retail gun stores choose a Type 01 license, pawn shops choose Type 02, and manufacturers choose Type 07. New York's state restrictions significantly affect what you can stock and sell.

• Type 01 Dealer in firearms other than destructive devices. The standard retail gun store license. $200 for three years, $90 to renew.
• Type 02 Pawnbroker dealing in firearms. $200 for three years.
• Type 06 Manufacturer of ammunition. $30 for three years.
• Type 07 Manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. $150 for three years.
• Type 03 Collector of Curio and Relic firearms. $30 for three years.

1. Prepare your business structure. Decide on your business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation). Register with the NY Department of State (Corporations) if forming an LLC or corporation, obtain an EIN from the IRS, register for sales tax, and confirm your premises meets zoning requirements.

2. Choose your FFL type. Select the FFL type that matches your business. Most retail gun stores choose Type 01, pawn shops choose Type 02, and manufacturers choose Type 07.

3. Complete ATF Form 7 or 7CR. Download ATF Form 7 (5310.12). Provide detailed information about your business, all responsible persons, and premises. Double-check every field, since errors are the primary cause of delays.

4. Complete fingerprint cards and photographs. Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2x2 passport-style photographs. Fingerprinting is available at IdentoGO locations and many UPS Stores.

5. Submit your application and fee. Mail the completed Form 7, fingerprint cards, photographs, and fee (check or money order payable to ATF) to the ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center in Atlanta, GA.

6. Notify your CLEO. Send a copy of your completed ATF Form 7 to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in your jurisdiction, your county sheriff or city chief of police. New York has 62 counties. CLEO notification is required; CLEO approval is not.

7. Complete the ATF interview and inspection. An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will visit your premises. They will verify your identity, inspect storage and security, and confirm your understanding of federal firearms laws. New York falls under the ATF New York Field Division.

8. Set up compliance systems (federal and state). Once your FFL is approved, establish your A&D Book, implement 4473 processing, and configure your NY DCJS State point-of-contact background check workflow before your first transaction. If operating in New York City, apply for the NYC Dealer in Firearms license from the NYPD License Division before conducting any business. Starting digital from day one with e4473 keeps your federal records organized alongside New York's state requirements.

Plan for a multi-step New York timeline: federal ATF preparation, mailing and intake, the inspector interview, and final ATF approval, followed by NY DCJS background check setup and (for NYC dealers) the separate NYPD Dealer in Firearms license. Clean applications with no errors move fastest.

New York has extensive state-level obligations. The most critical are verifying each handgun buyer's Pistol Permit before transfer, complying with the NY SAFE Act assault weapon definitions and magazine capacity limits, not selling suppressors or SBRs and SBSs, and running all background checks through NY DCJS.

NY SAFE Act compliance for FFLs:

• One-feature test: a semi-automatic rifle or pistol with even one prohibited feature (pistol grip, thumbhole stock, folding or telescoping stock, grenade launcher mount, flash suppressor, bayonet lug) qualifies as an assault weapon and cannot be transferred in New York
• Magazine limit: magazines with capacity exceeding 10 rounds cannot be sold or transferred
• Ammunition background checks: all ammunition sales require a background check through a licensed dealer
• Inventory review: audit your inventory against the NY SAFE Act definition before opening. Some commonly sold firearms in their standard configurations may be prohibited in New York

Pistol permit verification: before every handgun transfer, you must verify the buyer holds a valid NY Pistol Permit, confirm the permit is valid for the county where the transfer is taking place, record the permit number, issuing county, and expiration date in your A&D Book, and retain a copy of the permit (front and back) with the transaction records.

New York firearms laws relevant to FFLs:

• NY SAFE Act (2013): defines and prohibits assault weapons based on feature tests, restricts magazine capacity to 10 rounds, and mandates background checks for all ammunition sales
• Pistol permit required for all handgun sales: buyers must hold a valid NY Pistol Permit for the county of the sale, presented and recorded for every handgun transfer (NY Penal Law 400.00)
• State background check system: all checks go through NY DCJS and the State Police, not direct NICS
• Background check required for long gun purchases, including private party sales processed through an FFL
• Suppressors are prohibited under NY Penal Law 265.02
• Short-barreled rifles and shotguns are prohibited under New York state law
• 10-round magazine capacity limit under the NY SAFE Act
• No constitutional carry; a Pistol Permit with the proper endorsement is required for concealed carry
• NYC dealers must obtain a NYC Dealer in Firearms license from the NYPD License Division, separate from the federal FFL

Federal law requires you to provide a copy of your ATF Form 7 to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in your jurisdiction, typically your county sheriff or city chief of police. New York has 62 counties. CLEO notification is required, but CLEO approval is not required for your FFL.

How to find your CLEO:

• County sheriff: find your county sheriff through your county website or the New York State Sheriffs' Association
• Municipal police chief: if operating within a city with its own police department, notify that department's chief
• NYPD: dealers in any of the five New York City boroughs work with the NYPD and must also obtain the NYC Dealer in Firearms license

Send your CLEO notification at the same time you mail your ATF Form 7 or shortly after.

Home-based FFLs are permitted in New York at the federal level. New York City has its own firearms dealer licensing requirements separate from the federal FFL, so NYC dealers must obtain a NYC Dealer in Firearms license. Upstate New York counties are generally more permissive for home-based operations, but check local zoning in your municipality.

• Zoning: always verify with your local planning office before applying
• Storage and security: the ATF inspector will verify secure storage. A quality gun safe or dedicated locked storage room is expected
• NYC licensing: dealers in the five boroughs must obtain the NYC Dealer in Firearms license from the NYPD License Division, which adds significant complexity for home-based operations in the city
• Pistol permit and SAFE Act workflow: home-based dealers must still verify pistol permits for handgun transfers and screen inventory against SAFE Act restrictions
• Insurance: obtain a commercial firearms dealer policy, since standard homeowner's insurance does not cover commercial inventory

Because of New York's layered requirements, many home-based dealers operate upstate by appointment and consult a New York firearms attorney before opening.

Every firearm transfer from a New York FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473 and a background check through the State point of contact, NY DCJS and the State Police. Handgun transfers also require valid pistol permit verification, and ammunition sales require their own background check. For a full walkthrough of the federal form, see what questions are asked on a 4473 form.

• ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC)
• ATF Form 7 (5310.12) application
• New York DCJS (background checks and SAFE Act information)
• NYPD License Division (NYC Dealer in Firearms license)
• NY Department of Taxation and Finance (sales tax registration)
• NY Department of State (business registration)