Westchester Gun Safety Law

Westchester County, which is home to some of the strictest gun safety laws in the nation, is located in the southeastern corner of New York State due north of "The Big Apple." Westchester's history with intensive gun restrictions and penalties is relatively recent and incredibly one-sided. The general left-ward lean of the state perpetuates the laws and even has bi-partisan support.

  1. Why Westchester?

    • An activity Enjoyed by Few in Westchester County, New York

      The state of New York in 1995 elected a left-leaning Republican governor: George Pataki. Pataki and Democrat Senator, Chuck Schumer, led the fight for stricter gun control laws in the state of New York. New York, like any place, is not entirely homogeneous. The guns vary on a surprisingly wide spectrum, but in the more liberal areas of the state, say New York City, the laws are incredibly harsh. Take New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress for example. Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York City night club and was sentenced to two years in prison (after a plea of guilty to lower the prison time from the minimum three and one half years). As aforementioned, Westchester is just north of New York City and therefore, many people who maintain residence in that county commute to New York City for work. In other words, the geography of Westchester County dictates its political stance. Spatially, Westchester County is right next to one of the most liberal places in the United States and thus the county has the political tilt for harsh gun safety laws.

    Requirements for a Gun License

    • According to a publication by the NRA, as of 2008, the requirements for gaining a gun license in New York state include: Being "of good moral character", being over the age of 21, not having committed a felony, having never been treated for a mental illness, and finally not having a reasonable charge for denial of a gun license. The final point is strongly contested by gun-advocate James S. Mortellaro as he believes judges are highly critical and find many reasons for denial of such licenses especially in counties like Westchester. This may well be a valid claim as it is reasonable to expect the liberal populace to elect like-minded judges who will not readily hand out gun licenses.

    Now that You Have Your License...

    • If you are fortunate enough to gain a gun license in Westchester County New York, there is the obstacle of renewing the license. Before 1997 the license for carrying a firearm was valid for life. However, the new licensing restrictions require renewal every five years with a hefty $105 renewal fee.

    Violations and Penalties

    • C is for Class C Felony

      The repercussions for violating the strict gun laws in Westchester County can be incredibly steep. If caught with an illegally loaded firearm, you may face three and a half to 15 years in state prison. Also, the handling of an illegally loaded firearm is a class C Felony, which in layman's terms means that there is no possibility for probation.

    Promotions for Gun Safety Laws

    • The District Attorneys Office of Westchester County has begun a campaign titled: "Easy Choice or Hard Time." This program essentially manifests the stricter punishments to so-called "at risk" citizens in the hopes of spreading the message of tougher gun laws. The campaign utilizes bilingual banners and flyers in English and in Spanish.