Assault Weapon Information

Possessing an unregistered assault weapon is generally illegal in New York.

According to New York Penal Law § 265.00(22), as of June 16, 2026, assault weapons is defined as follows (Subsection (g) contains the exceptions) :

1.  a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following characteristics:
   1.  a folding or telescoping stock;
   2.  a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
   3.  a thumbhole stock;
   4.  a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
   5.  a bayonet mount;
   6.  a flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or muzzle compensator;
   7.  a grenade launcher; or
2.  a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least one of the following characteristics:
   1.  a folding or telescoping stock;
   2.  a thumbhole stock;
   3.  a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
   4.  a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds;
   5.  an ability to accept a detachable magazine; or
3.  a semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following characteristics:
   1.  a folding or telescoping stock;
   2.  a thumbhole stock;
   3.  a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
   4.  capacity to accept an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;
   5.  a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
   6.  a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned;
   7.  a manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; or
   8.  a semiautomatic version of an automatic rifle, shotgun or firearm;
4.  a revolving cylinder shotgun;
5.  a semiautomatic rifle, a semiautomatic shotgun or a semiautomatic pistol or weapon defined in subparagraph (v) of paragraph (e) of subdivision twenty-two of section 265.00 of this chapter as added by chapter one hundred eighty-nine of the laws of two thousand and otherwise lawfully possessed pursuant to such chapter of the laws of two thousand prior to September fourteenth, nineteen hundred ninety-four;
6.  a semiautomatic rifle, a semiautomatic shotgun or a semiautomatic pistol or weapon defined in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this subdivision, possessed prior to the date of enactment of the chapter of the laws of two thousand thirteen which added this paragraph;
7.  provided, however, that such term does not include:
   1.  any rifle, shotgun or pistol that
      1.  is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action;
      2.  has been rendered permanently inoperable; or
      3.  is an antique firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16);
   2.  a semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable magazine that holds more than five rounds of ammunition;
   3.  a semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five rounds of ammunition in a fixed or detachable magazine; or
   4.  a rifle, shotgun or pistol, or a replica or a duplicate thereof, specified in Appendix A to 18 U.S.C. 922 as such weapon was manufactured on October first, nineteen hundred ninety-three. The mere fact that a weapon is not listed in Appendix A shall not be construed to mean that such weapon is an assault weapon;
   5.  any weapon validly registered pursuant to subdivision sixteen-a of section 400.00 of this chapter. Such weapons shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) of this subdivision;
   6.  any firearm, rifle, or shotgun that was manufactured at least fifty years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof that is validly registered pursuant to subdivision sixteen-a of section 400.00 of this chapter;
8.  Any weapon defined in paragraph (e) or (f) of this subdivision may only be sold to, exchanged with or disposed of to a purchaser authorized to possess such weapons or to an individual or entity outside of the state provided that any such transfer to an individual or entity outside of the state must be reported to the entity wherein the weapon is registered within seventy-two hours of such transfer. An individual who transfers any such weapon to an individual inside New York state or without complying with the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.