New York

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New York

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to New York. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from Dutch and British colonial periods through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code and registers, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, armory and manufacturing records, maritime and law-enforcement archives, and oral histories tied to New York people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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Now showing 1 - 39 of 39

Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 11 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
Prohibited the discharge of firearms within the city of New York.
Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 39-40 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
Limits gunpowder stored within New York City, requires excess powder to be kept in licensed public magazines, regulates storage, transport, fees, and inspections, and imposes fines for violations to reduce fire and explosion risks.
1792 N.Y. Laws 227
(1786)
Defined the New York militia as "every able- bodied male person, being a citizen of this state, or of any of the United States, and residing in this state (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years." The arms were "a good musket or firelock," 24 bullets, "a sufficient bayonet" and other standard items."
1 The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 231-32 (1896)
(1691)
Lowered the minimum militia age, so that "noe person whatsoever from fiftieen to Sixty years of Age remaine unlisted." For every foot soldier, "a well fixed muskett or fuzee" for officers, "a good pike or Sword or lance and pistoll." At home, every foot soldier was to have "one pound of good powder and three pound of Sizeable bulletts," and every Trooper (horseman) had to "have at his usuall place of abode a well fixed Carabine with belt and Swivell and two pounds of fine powder with Six pounds of Sizeable bulletts."
1 The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 161 (1896)
(1684)
Ensured that persons exempted from the militia still kept the militia arms in their homes.
1886 N.Y. Laws 94
(1778)
Established "a night watch in the counties of Ulster, Tryon,Charlotte, Dutchess, and Albany." Service on the watch was required of "every able bodied male inhabitant, Indians and slaves excepted…from sixteen years of age till sixty."
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 205 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, VI 207, XVI 62
(1665)
Ordinance Of The Director General And Council Of New Netherland To Prevent Firing Of Guns, Planting May Poles And Other Irregularities Within This Province: The director General and Council expressly forbid from this time forth all firing of Guns . . .on a penalty of 12 guilders for the first offense; double for the second offense, and for the third an arbitrary correction . . .
1792 N.Y. Laws 227
(1786)
Defined the New York militia as "every able- bodied male person, being a citizen of this state, or of any of the United States, and residing in this state (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years." The arms were "a good musket or firelock," 24 bullets, "a sufficient bayonet" and other standard items."
1 The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 49-54 (1896)
(1665)
Every Male within this Government from Sixteen to Sixty years of age, or not freed by public Allowance, shall if freeholders at their own, if sons or Servants at their Parents and Masters Charge and Cost, be furnished from time to time and so Continue well furnished with Armes and other Suitable provition hereafter mentioned: under the penalty of five Shillings for the least default therein Namely a good Serviceable Gun, allowed Sufficient by his Military Oficer to be kept in Constant fitness for present Service, with a good sword bandeleers or horne or worme a Scowerer a priming wire Shott Badge and Charger one pound of good powder, four pounds of Pistol bullets or twenty four bullets fitted to the gunne, four fathom of Serviceable Match for match lock gunn four good flints fitted for a fire lock gunn. Troopers had to "keepe and maintaine a good Horse Fitted with Sadle, bridle, Holsters, Pistolls or Carbine, and a good Sword. Further, "In defence of himself his wife Father or Mother Children or Servants a man may Lawfully use force to resist any attempt made to that purpose."
1886 N.Y. Laws 232
(1780)
Required "all the male inhabitants (slaves excepted) of the age of sixteen years and upwards" to provide themselves with "a good musket or firelock" plus seventeen rounds of ammunition.
2 The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 687 (1894)
(1664)
Prohibited "any slave" from possessing or using any gun, pistol, sword, club, or any other kind of dangerous weapon not in the presence of their master.
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 234-35 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, VIII 56
(1656)
Prohibited admission of "any Indians" in possession of a gun or other weapon into Fort Amsterdam or in the Flatland.
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 47 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, IV. 216
(1645)
Prohibited the selling and bartering of firearms and ammunition with "the Indians."
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 23 (1868)
(1640)
Ordinance of the Director and Council of New Netherland, Providing for the Arming and Mustering of the Militia in Case of Danger: each provide himself with a good gun and keep the same in good repair and at all times ready and in order; and as they live at a distance from one another, every warned person is placed under his corporal in order that in time of danger he may appear at his post with his gun
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 128 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, XI. 53, 54
(1652)
Prohibited sale of powder, lead, and guns. The exact text is lost but the intention is to restrict sale of arms, especially ammunition, "to the Indians."
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 33 (1868)
(1642)
Ordinance Of The Director And Council Of New Netherland Against Drawing A Knife And Inflicting A Wound Therewith: No one shall presume to draw a knife much less to would any person, under the penalty of fl.50, to be paid immediately, or, in default, to work three months with the Negroes in chains; this, without any respect of person. Let every one take heed against damage and be warned.
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 35 (1868)
(1643)
Ordinance of the Director and Council of New Netherland Regulating the Burgher Guard, § 4: After the watch is duly performed, and daylight is come, and the reveille beaten, whosoever discharges any gun or musket, without orders of his Corporal, shall pay one guilder.
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 101 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, IV. 411
(1648)
Renewed the 1645 prohibition of trade of "any munitions of War with the Indians." Punishable by death.
E.B. O'Callaghan, Laws and Ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674, at 138 (1868); N.Y. Col. MSS, XVI. 31
(1652)
Ordinance Of The Director And Council Of New Netherland Against Firing At Partridges Or Other Game Within The Limits Of New Amsterdam: Therefore the Honorable Director General and Council, in order to prevent accidents, expressly forbid and interdict all persons henceforward firing within the jurisdiction of this city or about the Fort, with any guns at Partridges or other Game that may by chance fly within the city, on pain of forfeiting the gun and a fine at the discretion of the Judge, to be applied one-third to the Poor, one-third to the Church and one-third to the Officer.
Laws of the State of New-York, Relating to the City of Schenectady 58 (1824)
(1824)
A Law to prevent injuries by fire, and for other purposes, § XI: That if any person shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, rocket, cracker, squib or other fire works, in any street, lane or alley, or in any yard, garden or other enclosure, or in any place which persons frequent to walk within the limits aforesaid, without permission of the mayor or one of the aldermen or assistants of this city, such person shall forfeit for every such offence the sum of one dollar...
Laws and Ordinances, Ordained and Established by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of the City of New York 25-26 (1799)
(1799)
A Law to regulate the keeping of gun-powder in the city of New York: That no person or persons shall keep in any house, shop store house or other place within two miles of the city hall of the said city (Magazines of powder of the United States or of this state only excepted) any more or greater quantity of gun powder at one time than twenty-eight pounds,
Edward Livingston, Laws and Ordinances, Ordained and Established by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York 83-84 (1803)
(1803)
Ch 23, § 1: That no person shall hereafter be permitted to fire or discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece, or fire-arm, at any place on the island of New York, within the distance of four miles from the City Hall, under the penalty of five dollars upon each offender, to be recovered with costs.
Laws and Ordinances of the City of New York app. at 1 (1793)
(1786)
An Act to prevent the Firing of Guns and other Fire-Arms within this State, on certain days therein mentioned: If any person or persons, of what age, sex, or quality whatsoever, from and after the said first day of June next, shall fire and discharge any gun, pistol, rocket, cracker, squib or other fire-work, in any street, lane or ally, garden or other inclosure, or from any house, or in any other place where persons frequently walk, to the southward of Fresh-Water; that then every such person or persons so offending, and being thereof convicted before on or more justice or justices of the peace for the said city and county of New York, either by the confession of the party or parties so offending, or the oath of one or more witness or witnesses, (which oath the said justice or justices of the peace is and are hereby empowered and required to administer) shall, for every such offense, forfeit the sum of twenty shillings...
5 Colonial Laws of New York 244-246 (1894)
(1773)
Ch. 1501: Restricted the firing of guns, pistols, rockets, crackers, squibs, or other fireworks on New Years Eve or the days following. Violators fined twenty shillings.
Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 20 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
§ XVI: And whereas the present store-keeper of the magazine with the consent of the corporation, for the more safe conveying of gun-powder to and from the said magazine, hath provided leather bags, or covers, in order to cover all casks of gun powder to and form the said magazine, be it ordained by the authority aforesaid that from and after the publication hereof, no cart-man, or other person whatsoever, do presume to carry any gun powder to or from the said Magazine, or through any part of this city, but what shall be covered with leather bags as aforesaid, under the penalty of forty shillings, for every offense; the one half thereof to the informer, and the other half to the church wardens of this city for the time being, for the use of the poor thereof.
Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 18-19 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
Ordinances of the City of New York, § XII: For every load of gunpowder, to or from the powder-house, not exceeding four casks, two shillings and six pence. If less than four casks eighteen pence. If more than four casks three shillings.]
Acts Relating to the City of Brooklyn, and the Ordinances Thereof 25 (1836)
(1836)
Tit. 1, § 1: That it shall not be lawful for any person within the first six wards, and in so much of the seventh ward as lies westerly of Clinton avenue and the Jamaica turnpike, southerly of the place where the said turnpike is intersected by Clinton avenue, in said city, to fire or discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece, or fire arms, or to explode or set off any squib, cracker, or other thing containing gunpowder, or any combustible material, under the penalty of five dollars for each and every offence.
Laws and Ordinances of the Common Council of The City of Albany 127, 133-34, ch. 25, § 10 (1820)
(1820)
That it shall not be lawful for any person to fire or set off any gun-powder, squib, rocket or fire-work, or to fire any cannon, gun or pistol in any part of the said city, within the following bounds, viz: east of the west side of Knox-street, and north, east and south by the city line;
The Documentary History Of The State Of New York 222-223 (1849)
(1690)
Prohibited the discharge of pistols and firearms in Albany
1792 N.Y. Laws 191
(1792)
Prohibited storing of gun powder beyond twenty-eight pounds in weight in one location. Violators fined fifty pounds for every "hundred weight" of powder overstocked. Note: The law was passed in 1788, not 1792.
1786 N.Y. Laws 220
(1786)
An Act to Regulate the Militia, ch. 25: That every citizen so enroled [sic] and notified shall within three months thereafter provide himself at his own expence with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt[,] a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than twenty four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge containing a proper quantity of powder and ball, two spare flints, a blanket and knapsack[.]
The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 40-41 (1894)
(1680)
Prohibited the giving or selling to, or bartering with, "any Indian," or repairing guns and ammunition of "any Indian," punishable by fine.
N.Y. Const. art. XL (April 20, 1777)
(1777)
This convention therefore, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, doth ordain, determine and declare, that the militia of this State, at all times hereafter, as well in peace as in war, shall be armed and disciplined, and in readiness for service. That all such of the inhabitants of this State, being of the people called Quakers, as from scruples of conscience may be averse to the bearing of arms, be therefrom excused by the legislature; and do pay to the State such sums of money in lieu of their personal service, as the same may, in the judgment of the legislature, be worth: And that a proper magazine of warlike stores, proportionate to the number of inhabitants, be forever hereafter at the expense of this State, and by acts of the legislature, established, maintained, and continued in every county in this State.
1752 N.Y. Laws 199
(1730)
Ch. 560, § 20: Prohibited slaves from having or using any gun, pistol, sword, club, or any other kind of weapon. Violators punished by up to twenty lashes.
1784 N.Y. Laws 627
(1784)
An Act to Prevent the Danger Arising from the Pernicious Practice of Lodging Gun Powder in Dwelling Houses, Stores, or Other Places within Certain Parts of the City of New York, or on Board of Vessels within the Harbour Thereof, ch. 28: It shall not be lawful [sic] for any merchant, shopkeeper, or retailer, or any other person, or persons whatsoever, to have or keep any quantity of gun powder exceeding twenty-eight pounds weight, in any one place, less than one mile to the northward of the city hall of the said city, except in the public magazine at the Fresh-water, and the said quantity of twenty-eight pounds weight, which shall be lawfull [sic] for any person to have and keep at any place within this city, shall be seperated [sic] into four stone jugs or tine canisters, which shall not contain more than seven pounds each, on pain of forfeiting all such gunpowder,
6 Documents Relative To The Colonial History Of The State Of New-York 316 (1855)
(1744)
forbid the exportation of gunpowder
Acts of Assembly, Passed in the Province of New York, From 1691, to 1718, at 144 (1719)
(1712)
"An Act for Preventing, Suppressing, and Punishing the Conspiracy and Insurrection of Negroes, and other Slaves": Prohibition on "any Negro, Indian, Mulatto Slave" from having or using any gun or pistol outside of their master's presence.
1802 N.Y. Laws 41-42
(1785)
Ch. 81: Whereas great dangers have arisen, and mischief been done by the pernicious practice of firing guns, pistols, rockets, squibs, and other fire-works, on the eve of the last day of December, and first and second days of January: For prevention whereof for the future: Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in the Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that if any person or persons whomsoever, shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, rocket, squib or other fire-work, within a quarter of a mile of any building, on the said eve or days before mentioned, every such person or persons so offending and being thereof convicted before any justice of the peace of the city or county where such offense shall be committed, either by the confession of the party or parties so offending, or the oath of any one credible witness, shall for every such offence, forfeit the sum of forty shillings
1 Colonial laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 49-50 (1894)
(1665)
"Besides the Generall stock of each Town Every Male within this Government from Sixteen to Sixty years of age, or not freed by public Allowance, shall if freeholders at their own , if sons or Servants at their Parents and Masters Charge and Cost, be furnished from time to time and so Continue well furnished with Armes and other Suitable provition hereafter mentioned: under the penalty of five Shillings for the least default therein Namely a good Serviceable Gun, allowed Sufficient by his Military Officer to be kept in Constant fitness for present Service, with a good sword bandeleers or horne or worme a Scowerer a priming wire Shott Badge and Charger one pound of good powder, four pounds of Pistol bullets or twenty four bullets fitted to the gunne , four fathom of Serviceable Match for match lock gunn four good flints fitted for a fire lock gunn..."

New York

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