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Airgun law · United States
Are Airguns Legal in New York?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow — usually age verification, and in some places a low-power threshold.
Tier 3 — Moderate
Mainly age verification (typically 18+), with some local variance.
NY
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive New York is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationNot a firearm
Age rule16+ for sales
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleAge verification
TransportNo state rule
PreemptionLocal rules govern
Before you buy or sell
- DO NOT ship to NYC civilian addresses — NYC has a near-total functional ban.
- Buffalo, Rochester, and Yonkers each have their own restrictive ordinances.
The rules in detail
Classification
Not a firearm
Not a firearm under state law (outside NYC).
Age rule
16+ for sales
Minimum age 16 for possession.
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful outside NYC for those 16+. NO permit, registration, or background check at state level.
Transfer / sale
Age verification
Verify 16+ for sales outside NYC.
Transport
No state rule
No state-specific transport rules outside NYC.
Preemption
Local rules govern
No explicit airgun preemption — multi-tiered city-level rules.
Hunting with an airgun
Furbearer allowance verified; broader species unresolved
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Turkey
Not allowed / prohibited
Unresolved (likely no based on rifle restrictions)
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Predators
Explicitly allowed
Allowed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Local rules that still apply
NEW YORK CITY
Admin Code § 10-131(b) makes it UNLAWFUL to sell, offer to sell, or possess any air pistol or air rifle. Functional civilian ban. CANNOT ship to NYC civilian addresses.
Buffalo
Local restrictions on air pistols and rifles.
Rochester
Local restrictions on air pistols and rifles.
Yonkers
Local restrictions on air pistols and rifles.
Keep exploring
Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.