A guide on how to own a firearm in NYC. Part 2

Part 1: http://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/nud1h/a_guide_on_how_to_own_a_firearm_in_nyc_part_1/

Transporting rifles / shotguns in NYC and in other states (R/S Only).

The following applies to only permit holders: If you have a residence permit (limited to your house), you are only allowed either to keep it on your premises or go to a range in NYC. Your permit does not apply to NY State or to any other state. However, you can get some parts of NYS to uphold your permit and go shooting there by calling their local precincts. Standard competition exceptions apply however.

When transporting your gun in NYC/NYS it needs to be unloaded, in a locked non-clear case. Ammunition of to be stored in a separate locked case, away from the gun. There is a lot of disagreement on what constitutes a locked case legally but as far as I know a backpack for ammo and a soft case for the gun with a travel lock through the zippers is OK. It doesn’t have to be thief proof, just legal proof. This applies even inside your car trunk.

Trigger locks should be kept on the gun when storing (don’t need a safe as long as the guns are not in clear view of the public) but fall into a grey legal area during transport since the gun is in your direct possession. Generally, I like to keep them on the gun when moving within city limits anyway. Again, handguns have different rules. A trigger lock does not constitute a locked case.

You are legally allowed to take your gun out of your house (on a premises permit) to take a direct route to and from a legal shooting range / hunting area. Make only necessary and as little stops as possible along the way. Use your common sense what is a reasonable stop (showing a gun off to your friends is not one of them). Finally, as per a federal law (whose name I don’t recall), if you start your trip under legal ownership and end it in an area of legal ownership you are good. Example: some states don’t require a license for long guns: start in NYC with your permit > take direct route to shooting range in that state > come back the same way and you’ll be fine legally.

If you made a mistake with any of the above, you need to surrender your guns to your local NYPD precinct or take them out of the city in 24 hours until you are good legally again. If you are worried about the NYPD playing around with your precious toys, remove key parts before you hand them in. I’ve had to give up my K98 Mauser for a while due to paperwork problems and they didn’t even open the case. Example: you bought a gun within the prohibited 90 day period: surrender it to your local precinct for holding, wait the remainder of the period, pick it up and register it. Alternatively you can keep it out of the city but then you will have to prove where it was all this time (NYPD holding is easier by far). Do not give the authorities the chance to get you on possession of an unregistered firearm.

Hopefully the previous cleared up a few things. The NYPD is not an evil force that everyone has them pinned as. Sure there are exception but owning a firearm in the city is not all that hard. Be smart and stay safe.

All of the previous can be found in the official set of rules that the NYPD follow. Located here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/permits/title38_rcny_rev2010_11.pdf

TL;DR: Gun ownership in NYC isn't as bad as everyone believes. You chances of getting a permit is just as good as in most other states.