New York

Secure Storage
Laws in New York

New York has some of the strongest gun laws in the country and has all of the foundational gun laws in place. These gun safety laws include a secure storage law, which took effect in New York in 2019.

State Requirements

Secure Storage in New York

New York state law requires gun owners to securely store their firearms to prevent children and teens under the age of 16 or 18 (depending on circumstances), as well as unauthorized individuals, from accessing them. Expand each section below for full requirements and what happens if they aren’t met.

The information provided here is not legal advice and should not be understood as such. Consult with an attorney if you have questions about how your state’s laws apply to your specific circumstances.

Gun owners in New York are required to store their firearm(s) in their homes securely in certain circumstances. To comply with state law, gun owners must do one of the following when their firearm is not under their immediate possession or control and they (a) live with a child under age 18, (b) live with an individual who is prohibited from possessing firearms, or (c) know or have reason to know that a child under age 16 is likely to gain access to the firearm:

  • Store the firearm in a safe or other secure container which is fire, impact, and tamper resistant and only accessible by authorized persons; ; or
  • Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm incapable of being fired.

New York’s secure gun storage laws apply to vehicles. If a gun owner* is leaving their firearm(s) outside of their immediate possession or control in a vehicle, they are required to:

  • Remove the ammunition from the firearm; and
  • Securely store the firearm in a safe or other secure container which is fire, impact, and tamper resistant and only accessible by authorized persons (a glove compartment is NOT a secure container); and
  • Ensure the container is out of sight.

Gun owners may be subject to criminal penalties if they fail to follow these requirements.

By the Numbers

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More than 1,300 children and teens (0–19) die by gun suicide each year — 4 children and teens each day.Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, WONDER Online Database, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death (accessed August 10, 2026). Average: 2021–2025. Ages: 0–19.

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More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year; a significant portion of those are stolen from cars.

Best Practices

Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles

Gun safety is always an adult’s responsibility, no matter what your state’s laws require — secure storage protects your kids, family, and community from tragedy.

There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best solution is one you will use consistently, every time.

Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.

Remember

Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely

Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.

Locked Up

With keys or codes kept private

Unloaded

Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun

Separate from ammunition

Store ammunition in a different place from guns

Download

New York Secure Gun Storage Sheet

Download information about secure gun storage in New York in English or Spanish.