Is a California Non-Resident Permit Valid in New York?

Why

• California does not issue carry permits to non-residents (penal code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city or have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path).

NY recognizes no out-of-state permit: only a license issued under PL 400.00 authorizes handgun possession/carry, and even a NY license 'shall not be valid within the city of New York unless a special permit... is issued by the police commissioner of that city' (PL 400.00(6)). No official reciprocity page exists because there is no reciprocity.

Carry rules in New York

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter New York, these rules replace the ones you know from California.

• No proactive statutory duty; a licensee must carry the license while carrying the handgun and exhibit it upon demand to any police or peace officer (PL 400.00(8)).
• New York limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• New York is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit New York recognizes.
• A gun left unattended in a vehicle must be unloaded and locked in a fire-, impact- and tamper-resistant depository hidden from view (PL 265.45; glove boxes do not qualify); NYC additionally requires guns unloaded and cased in vehicles even when attended.

Off-limits places in New York

• Schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions
• Government buildings and courts
• Public transportation and transit facilities
• Bars and restaurants serving alcohol
• Theaters, stadiums, museums and other entertainment venues
• Places of worship, plus Times Square (all 'sensitive locations', PL 265.01-e)

Frequently asked questions

Is a California non-resident permit valid in New York?

None issued, so none recognized. California keeps its permits resident-only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). Your route to carrying in New York runs through a permit you are eligible to obtain elsewhere.

Do I have to tell police in New York that I am carrying?

No proactive statutory duty; a licensee must carry the license while carrying the handgun and exhibit it upon demand to any police or peace officer (PL 400.00(8)).

Does New York limit magazine capacity?

New York limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.

Does California issue non-resident carry permits?

No. California issues carry permits to residents only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.