New York has taken bold action to save lives from gun violence and serves as a national model for many gun safety policies and programs.
The state serves as a national model for developing and investing in community violence prevention and intervention programs. In 2023, New York had the third lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 984 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every nine hours. Forty-eight percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 50% are gun homicides. In New York, the rate of gun deaths increased 11% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide.
What New York Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Partial gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Certain open carry regulations
- Safe storage laws
- Community violence intervention funding
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- Ghost gun law
- Microstamping requirements
- Minimum age of 21 to buy most firearms
- Sensitive location restrictions
What New York Is Missing
- Waiting period
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: States with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE NEW YORK’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
