⁠NYC (NYPD) Add Firearm Guide

You may not take possession of a handgun without written authorization from the NYPD License Division (38 RCNY 5-25(c)).

• Your authorization is the initial Purchase Authorization form issued with your license (not the mail-in Purchase Authorization Request Form, Misc. 3323). You upload a copy of it in Step 6.

• Good for 30 days. The purchase authorization form is valid for 30 calendar days from the date it is issued, and you give it to the dealer when you buy (38 RCNY 5-25(c)).

  ⁠Editor's Note

  From my experience, many people take much longer than 30 days, some even six months. Eventually the NYPD catches up and emails or calls you with a short deadline, often one or two weeks. If you miss it and this is your first purchase, your license can be canceled. My advice: don't push it off. Get it done as soon as you can.

• The dealer fills in the NICS check number on the form. You will upload this form with your request.

• Buy a safety locking device with the gun: a trigger lock, a combination handle, or a steel or metal locking device (38 RCNY 5-25(b)).

• 72 hours. Within 72 hours of the purchase, contact the License Division to request inspection of the handgun and the locking device. You can do this through the request on the NYPD portal (Steps 4 to 6) (38 RCNY 5-25(d)).

  ⁠Editor's Note

  From my experience, even though the rule says this, I don't know of anyone who requested or needed an inspection since everything moved online with photos. It's in the rule book, but the NYPD rarely uses it. Keep in mind the NYPD can still show up for an inspection at any time.

• Not before it is on your license. You may not take possession of the handgun until the License Division has inspected it and entered it on your license (38 RCNY 5-25(d)).

  ⁠Editor's Note

  From my experience, you need the physical license card when you go to pick up the gun from the dealer. The NYPD prints the card and mails it to you by US mail. Once it arrives, you can pick up your gun.

Have everything ready before you log in. This list is from the NYPD's own instructions on the portal.

No fee. There is no fee to add a firearm.

Firearm information:

• Make

• Model

• Caliber

• Serial number

Documents and photos:

• Your Purchase Authorization form (the initial one issued with your license), with the NICS check number filled in by the dealer.

• The receipt / bill of sale for the firearm.

• Firearm photo 1: the whole firearm, in color, with accurate colors.

• Firearm photo 2: a close-up of the serial number, clear and readable.

• Safe photos (at least 2, in color): one of the inside (door open, safe open) and one of the outside (safe closed) of your safe or container. Show the whole safe, not just part of it. No stock images.

• File types: .JPEG, .JPG, .PDF or .PNG only.

Also listed in the NYC rule (38 RCNY 5-25(d)): a color photo of the safety locking device, and a bill of sale for the safe. The bill of sale for the handgun must show the make, model, caliber and serial number; the seller's name, address and license number (if any); and your name, address, license number and the date of sale. If you buy from a private person instead of a dealer, the bill of sale must be signed and notarized by the seller.

1. Log in to the NYPD licensing portal. Find "Request to Add/Remove a Firearm to a License" and tap Add/Remove Firearms.

   

2. On "Select a License to Add/Remove a firearm", tap your license number.

   

3. Tap Start New Add/Remove Firearm Request. Your earlier requests are listed below it, under "Submitted Firearm Requests".

   

The Firearm Request page shows the NYPD's instructions, the same list as Step 3.

1. Request Type: choose Add.

   

2. Make: tap the magnifier, type the brand (for example "Sig"), tap the search button, pick it from the list and tap Select.

   

3. Fill in the Model, Caliber and Serial Number, then tap Next. All four fields are required.

   

1. Tap Upload Supporting Documentation. Accepted file formats: .JPEG, .JPG, .PDF and .PNG.

   

2. In the Document Upload window, choose the Document Type, tap Choose File, pick your file and tap Submit.

   

3. Do this once for each document, picking the matching Document Type: photo of the firearm, photo of the serial number, bill of sale, copy of the approval letter, and the safe open and closed. Upload your purchase authorization under "Copy of the Approval Letter" and the receipt under "Bill of Sale".

   

4. When every document is uploaded, tap Submit; you'll see a confirmation screen.

Before you upload anything, the list under the button reads "There are no records to display."

• Incomplete requests are turned down. The NYPD screen says: "Requests that are incomplete and/or violate any applicable provisions of rule or law will be disapproved. If your request is disapproved, you will need to correct the issue and resubmit the request."

• The safe can be rejected. The License Division may reject a safe or locked container if it finds the safety features are not enough (38 RCNY 5-25(d)).

• Wait for it to be on your license. You may not take possession until the handgun is inspected and entered on your license (38 RCNY 5-25(d)).

• Your requests are listed under "Submitted Firearm Requests" on the same page as the Start button.

Picking up the gun. The NYPD mails you your new license card with the new handgun listed on the back. Take that card to your gun dealer to pick up the gun.

NYPD License Division
One Police Plaza, Room 110A, New York, NY
Handgun Section: 646-610-5560
Open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday (closed on legal holidays).

Questions about purchase authorizations and handgun inspections go to the Purchase Authorization unit. It is on the NYPD portal's Contact Us page.

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